The Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center is a premier place for field trips & special educational outings. Not only will students learn about the history & heritage of the fire service that has served Nebraska since the mid 1800’s, but can also learn about the importance a wide variety of other aspects of the fire service. These aspects are divided into a number of “Missions” that may be incorporated into the Field Trip experience in association with classroom learning:

MISSION 1: CHARACTER COUNTS

Firefighters & EMTs are a strong & valorous representation of Nebraska’s bravest heroes. As such, students are encouraged to interactively consider key character traits of firefighters, as they pertain to each of the Museum exhibits, which may include:

o Volunteerism                        o Dedication

o Preparedness                                                     o Professionalism

o Physical Health                    o Teamwork

o Perseverance                                                       o Communication

o Problem Solving                        o Bravery

o Hard Work                                          o Legacy & Heritage

MISSION 2: FIRE PREVENTION

Quite possibly the most important take-home message that can be learned at the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center is how to PREVENT fires, which is to keep fires from ever coming into existence! Through hands-on discovery activities, like the rooms of the Hazard House & Smokey Bear’s Rules of Wildfire Prevention, students learn how to implement practical fire prevention techniques in their daily lives… an essential skill that could quite possibly save their lives and the lives of others… including the firefighters who respond to unprevented fires!

MISSION 3: SCIENCE & SAFETY

What makes a fire start? What keeps a fire burning? What’s inside a fire extinguisher? The answers to these questions show that there is a definite science when it comes to firefighting. Students will discover the fire triangle and the “how” of what makes fire burn; learn about fire extinguishing; and importantly, what to do to stay safe in the event that a fire occurs in their home or school.

MISSION 4: APPRECIATION

Students are given time to spend in the Nebraska Firefighters Memorial Garden to observe and realize the amount of time and sacrifice that firefighters and emergency medical responders give in the line of duty. The students are then given the opportunity to express their gratitude and recognition of the time, effort, sacrifice and risks that firefighters from their own community give by creating cards and writing notes that will be delivered to their home department! Being aware at an early age regarding the risks that men and women in their own hometown take to keep them and their possessions safe can play a huge role in fire prevention!

MISSION 5: EXCITEMENT

Based on the availability of the equipment and manpower, students may be able to experience the excitement of seeing a modern piece of firefighting apparatus up close, and may be able to meet and question a real firefighter from a local community! This personal connection and interaction with a very cool piece of equipment creates a learning moment and an exciting memory that will be remembered for years!

MISSION 6(+): MUCH MUCH MORE!

The staff of the Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center can customize a tour and activities that focus on a specific area of interest or topic of study for your class or subject matter! Simply contact Museum Director Lindsay Schluntz at 308-338-FIRE(3473) or at Mail@NEFFM.org for more information.

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

General Educational Admission Fees:

• Preschool – 8th Grade: $2 per child
• Accompanying Adults: $5
• School Sanctioned Teachers, Paras & Bus Drivers: FREE

• High School/College: $4
• Accompanying Adults: $5
• School Sanctioned Teachers, Paras & Bus Drivers: FREE

Structure

• In order to accommodate for large groups of students & to allow students to appropriately engage & absorb the experience, groups are divided into smaller “companies” that rotate through a series of learning stations which may incorporate one or more of the Missions.

Typical Scheduling

• School tours are held on weekdays between 10 AM & 3 PM, and should be scheduled at least one week in advance, if possible.

• School tours typically last approximately two to four hours, depending on the specific group size & age, and the specific Mission selected for the group.

• If scheduled during the noon hour, though no food court nor lunch room is available at the Nebraska Firefighters Museum, students are welcome to bring their lunches & either enjoy their meals/snacks on our front lawn, or the Party Room (equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, sink) may be utilized for an additional $1 fee per individual.

• You may also choose to make the most of your trip to the Nebraska Firefighters Museum on Archway Parkway by visiting the Great Platte River Road Archway as well, as Come & Get It BBQ at the Archway provides a convenient location for meals to be purchased & plenty of space to eat in!