The Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center will pay tribute to our firefighters, past present and future, and the rich legacy they have left us. Through a collection of hand-drawn, horse-drawn and motorized fire apparatus, visitors will be able to retrace the steps of firefighters and learn about their day-to-day lives in the engine house.

Set in an authentically restored 1908 Columbus engine house, fire prevention education programming and life saving procedures for the entire family will be offered on a year round basis.

PHASE  I

Through the combined efforts of Central Ohio firefighters, community and corporate leaders, over $684,000 was raised to complete Phase I, the authentic restoration of the building exterior. No. 16 Engine House is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

PHASE  II

Now, is the time to complete Phase II of the project: to renovate the interior, design and build displays, and develop "hands-on" life saving exhibits programmed for school children.

 There is no way to place a price on the value of human life, especially a child's life. The Learning Center will reach over 30,000 children annually with educational and interactive displays. It will help reduce the over 150 fire fatalities in Ohio each year. Firefighters know that fire prevention education programs measurably reduce fatalities when they are available.

Children will "learn by doing" through activity stations that teach fire safety. They will be able to climb aboard a fire engine and "video" drive through a smoked filled bedroom for hands on learning on how to escape a fire. A complete kitchen will show some of the most common fire hazards.

The child "paramedic" will sit in the back of an actual ambulance, assess a patient and listen to  real emergency radio calls. Visitors will see a firefighter searching a smoke filled room, view the room after the fire and see the devastating effects of fire to it's contents.