City of Ames’ Podcasts ·Oct 6, 2026 ·21 min

Ames in Focus: Safely Plugged In to Fire Prevention with Brad Jerkins and Eric Deters

Evaluation and Summary

6.1/10

This 21-minute episode of Ames in Focus features Ames Fire Department Commander Brad Jerkins and Eric Deters discussing fire safety with host Bill Gebhart. The episode centers on October's Fire Prevention Month and this year's theme: "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!" The hosts explain the growing fire risk from rechargeable devices in homes and cover practical guidance on safe charging habits, selecting appropriate chargers, and recognizing warning signs from damaged or overheating batteries. They discuss common charging mistakes that increase fire risk, such as using incompatible chargers or ignoring device damage. Beyond batteries, the conversation addresses seasonal fire prevention, the importance of smoke alarms, and the necessity of developing and practicing home escape plans so families know what to do when an alarm sounds. The episode promotes the Ames Fire Department's annual Fire Station Open House on October 10 at Fire Station No. 1, featuring a sensory-friendly hour from 8–9 a.m. followed by general admission until noon. Visitors can tour fire trucks, meet firefighters, watch safety demonstrations, spray fire hoses, play fire safety games, and meet Freddie the fire truck and Sparky the dog. The hosts explain why the sensory-friendly hour makes the event more accessible and welcoming to community members with sensory sensitivities. The episode also mentions firefighters' visits to local elementary schools for fire prevention education and a second-grade coloring contest offering an Ames Fire Department T-shirt and a fire truck ride to school as prizes. The episode concludes with an "Ames in Focus lightning round," though details of this segment are not provided in the show notes.

Verdict: A solid, practical public service episode that delivers useful fire safety guidance and community information, though it lacks depth and external sourcing to elevate it beyond standard municipal outreach.

Government rubric

Accuracy and sourcing 3/5 20%

Fire department officials provide direct guidance on charging safety and fire prevention, but no external studies, statistics, or third-party sources are mentioned to support claims about battery fire risks.
Balance and context 3/5 20%

The episode presents fire safety information from official sources but lacks historical context about charging-related fires or competing perspectives on device safety standards.
Clarity on what it means 4/5 15%

Practical, actionable advice is provided (safe charging habits, escape plans, smoke alarm checks) that residents can immediately apply to reduce fire risk in their homes.
Substance 3/5 15%

Covers multiple fire safety topics with specific guidance on charging, seasonal risks, and escape planning, but the 21-minute format limits depth; event promotion takes up notable space.
Delivers on its title 5/5 15%

Title promises fire prevention focus with safe charging emphasis; episode fully delivers on both, covering the Fire Prevention Week theme and practical charging safety throughout.
Value for time 3/5 15%

Packs multiple topics into 21 minutes with useful takeaways, but event promotion and lightning round may feel like padding for listeners seeking only technical fire safety content.

How we score Government

Worth it if you live in Ames, Iowa, want practical charging safety tips, or are interested in attending the Fire Station Open House.

#fire safety #public service #home safety #community event #battery charging

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

October is Fire Prevention Month, and the Ames Fire Department is helping residents think about what they can do to keep themselves, their families, and their homes safe. In this episode of Ames in Focus , Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Fire Department Commander Brad Jerkins and Eric Deters to talk about Fire Prevention Week, seasonal fire safety, and one of the department's biggest community events of the year, the annual Fire Station Open House. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!" focuses on the growing number of rechargeable devices in our homes. Brad and Eric discuss safe charging habits, choosing the right chargers, recognizing warning signs from batteries and devices, and some of the common mistakes that can create a fire risk. The conversation also goes beyond batteries and charging. Bill, Brad, and Eric talk about seasonal fire risks, smoke alarms, and the importance of having and practicing a home escape plan so everyone knows what to do when an alarm sounds. Then, it's time to get ready for the Ames Fire Department's annual Fire Station Open House. This year's event is Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. A sensory-friendly hour will be held from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors can tour fire trucks, meet Ames firefighters, watch safety demonstrations, spray a fire hose, play fire safety games, and meet a couple of familiar fire safety friends, including Freddie the fire truck and Sparky the dog. Brad and Eric also explain why the sensory-friendly hour is an important part of making the event welcoming and accessible to more members of the community. And October means Ames firefighters will be heading into local elementary schools for fire prevention education. There's even a second-grade coloring contest with a pretty impressive grand prize: an Ames Fire Department T-shirt and a ride to school on a fire truck. That's some serious second-grade bragging rights. In this episode: This year's Fire Prevention Week theme and why safe charging matters Safe practices for charging phones, tablets, tools, and other devices Warning signs of a damaged or overheating battery Common charging mistakes that can increase fire risk Seasonal fire prevention reminders Smoke alarm safety and home escape planning What to expect at the annual Fire Station Open House The sensory-friendly hour and why it's offered Firefighters' visits to Ames elementary schools The second-grade fire prevention coloring contest And, of course, the Ames in Focus lightning round Fire prevention starts with everyday decisions, whether that's safely charging a device, checking a smoke alarm, practicing an escape plan, or simply knowing what to watch for around your home. Join the Ames Fire Department for the Fire Station Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. The sensory-friendly hour is from 8 to 9 a.m., with general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Episode page

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