Local 1041 - Fire Education/T-Shirt Program - 2025

Annual Fire Education Program – Established 1992

For over 33 years, Albert Lea firefighters have been dedicated to teaching life-saving fire safety lessons to first-grade students in our community. Through our Fire Education/T-Shirt Program, we have reached more than 8,800 students in the Albert Lea School District, Hollandale Christian School, St. Theodore’s Catholic School, and area homeschool programs.

Each year, our firefighters visit first-grade classrooms to introduce basic fire safety concepts. Students take home a simple but powerful handout, designed to encourage discussions with their families about what to do in case of a fire. A week later, we return to the classroom to reward every student who completed the handout with a special Fire Safety T-shirt, a lasting reminder of these critical lessons.

This program has had an incredible impact on our community—helping children understand fire safety at an early age and ensuring families have conversations that could save lives.

We believe fire safety education shouldn’t stop at first grade. That’s why we are working to expand this program to reach more students in the future. While we will continue to provide first graders with this vital education, we recognize the need to teach older age groups as well—reinforcing safety lessons that grow with them.

The Fire Education/T-Shirt Program is 100% funded by donations from local businesses and community members like you. Every dollar goes directly toward providing educational materials and T-shirts for the students.

With an annual budget of just $3,205, your donation—no matter the size—makes a direct impact in keeping this program going for years to come.

Your contribution will:✅ Fund fire safety materials for Albert Lea’s first graders✅ Provide T-shirts that reinforce fire safety lessons✅ Support hands-on education delivered by real firefighters✅ Help us expand fire safety education to additional age groups

Your support means everything to us. Donate today to help us continue this life-saving tradition and keep fire safety education strong in our community.