Rank: New forum user 
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I am involved in fire training (i.e. fire risk assessment and fire warden) and thought that it might be useful to share ideas on what exercises other trainers use during such courses to keep people engaged?
The current exercises I use are:
- Practical fire training using fire units;
- Practical Fire Risk Assessments in groups;
- Hazard spotting in groups.
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Rank: New forum user
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A good ice-breaker that has worked for me for many years is to provide a pen and paper and after introducing the course and myself, ask those attending to identify the locations of all the fire extinguishers they have passed since walking into the building. You can also ask, what type of extinguishers they were, what can they be used on, etc. You can also add other questions by asking what information did the fire notice give, where is the fire assembly point, etc. I can almost guarantee you that once you have finished you will have a captive audience, but only if you have done your homework and actually know the correct information yourself.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I always ask them to set off a fire extinguisher
Many people havent actually set off one before and find it fun whilst learning - to ensure everyone else is interested I ask them how long do they expect them to last before they run out.
I try not to set off powder though too messy
I do like Hay042178 idea of pen and paper
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Rank: Super forum user 
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alan w houghton wrote:I always ask them to set off a fire extinguisher
Many people havent actually set off one before and find it fun whilst learning - to ensure everyone else is interested I ask them how long do they expect them to last before they run out.
I try not to set off powder though too messy
I do like Hay042178 idea of pen and paper
Powder also gives you an upset stomach if you swallow any of it, so I believe.
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Rank: Forum user
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"Many people havent actually set off one before and find it fun whilst learning - to ensure everyone else is interested I ask them how long do they expect them to last before they run out".
You are right, but many people haven't even picked an extinguisher up (except for those that prop fire doors open) I used to pick on the person who looked the least interested to collect a 2 gallon (old money here) water get them to complete a mini assault course around the classroom as fast as possible and then tell them that was the easy bit, wait til they have to do it for real, in the dark, breathing in acrid smoke, keeping as low as possible whilst trying to keep the intense heat away from their bare skin. (Shock and awe tactics often get their attention)
All the aforementioned ideas are great, but any idea that makes the candidates think in a fun sort of way can only be good
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You will obviously know the course content so while the attendees are introducing themselves write on the white board or flip over pad a question you will ask them as an individual at the end of the course.
i.e. one will get triangle of fire, another will get fire extinguisher colours, another will get "define means of escape" and so on.
Write the question against the name and you will get that person's attention, at least until their question has come up.
You can also add that if the question is not answered correctly it will go to another in the group.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There can be slightly guilty enjoyment of a multiple choice test with options such as:
What is a fire extinguisher for? (a) Propping the fire door open ...
What should be done about a disabled person who is unable to escape? (a) Don't let them in the building in the first place ...
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Rank: Super forum user
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On the last training session I gave there were 93 attendees, so therefore some of the ideas are no go areas. I do however use the where is the assembly point, and nearest alternative fire exit questions when I introduce myself
SBH
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Rank: Super forum user 
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We did a drill with just fire wardens. Before they left they were given a plain envelope to open when the bells rang. They had various messages to report to the site controller eg was not in area so could not sweep, immobile casualty, seen where the fire is, hazardous material out of place, Fred not accounted for....
You can use this to create some fake activity for the site controller to deal with and to report to whoever is going to be the fake fire chief
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