Official Web Site of the City of Phoenix

Fire Department – The Phoenix Fire Department publishes a variety of fire and life safety brochures available online in Spanish and English. Topics include safe babysitting, flammable substances, kitchen safety, smoke alarms, pedestrian safety, CPR, fire extinguishers, latchkey children, water safety, bicycle safety, health & wellness and much more. In addition, Fire FitKids! provides online resources designed to expose teenagers to the benefits of regular exercise and healthy habits. Fire-Pal offers water safety information and the Just a Few Seconds™ Quiz Challenge. Visit the Kids area to find other online activity areas that teach fire safety. For more information about the Fire Department's programs call 602-262-2910, or visit their Web site.

Historic Preservation Office - The Historic Preservation Office publishes a walking tour brochure on historic buildings downtown, a book entitled "Historic Homes of Phoenix," as well as illustrated information booklets on some of the city's historic neighborhoods. The office's web site also provides information on historic sites and buildings in Phoenix, as well as maps showing locations of historic neighborhoods. Call 602-261-8699 for more information, or visit the website.

Recycling - The public works department offers an acitivy book and trading cards to teach kids about recycling. The Kids who Care, Recycle Right, Recycle Smart Activity Book contains a variety of puzzles and coloring pages designed to be placed in the Phoenix Recycles curbside containers. The free activity book is available in English and Spanish. Recycling Trading Cards feature photos of mascots and information to teach kids about recycling and disposal of hazardous household waste materials - Call 602-262-2751 or visit their website to download a copy.

Out of the Ashes - This city publication is a brief history of Phoenix from its habitation by the Hohokam to the present. Settlement, land expansion, early government, improvements in transportation and the genesis of the public schools are covered in simple language. Please call 602-262-7176 for copies or find the information online.

phoenix.gov - This is the city’s Web site that provides information about Phoenix city government, including activities, events, the latest city news and contact information for services and city officials. The site also includes a variety of e-mail list subscriptions, allowing you to receive city news, job openings and other information from the city via e-mail. allowing you to receive city news, job openings and other information via e-mail.

Phoenix Planning Department - Information regarding city planning and community development is available from the Planning Department. This information includes the General Plan, pamphlets and reports on each village planning area, the Annual Report, and zoning maps. These documents are available through the department’s web site, by calling 602-262-7131, or by stopping by the Planning Department at Phoenix City Hall on the sixth floor.

Points of Pride - Phoenix Pride Commission polled 40,000 city residents to select the Phoenix Points of Pride. The Points of Pride locations are places you'd be proud to tell your friends and visitors not to miss when they're in town. Or you may want to take your family on an outing to enjoy Phoenix's most popular landmarks. Download this brochure and map or call 602-262-7176 for more information.

Public Art - The Phoenix Arts Commission has a brochure and map of completed projects for residents interested in viewing the city's public art, for more information call 602-262-4637. Information about public art projects and maps are also available online.

Summary Budget - This book contains a narrative description of Phoenix programs and services planned for each year. It has a table of contents, index and excellent descriptions of city departments and programs. The graphs and charts documenting statistics are great teaching tools, such as the number of players on city golf courses, passengers at Sky Harbor Airport and the number of building permits issued each year. The graphs are designed using symbols of golf tees, nails and airplanes, making them as much fun to read as they are informative. This book is available online or by calling 602-262-7176.

Phoenix Teen Central - The Phoenix Public Library sponsors a special Web site just for teens at www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/blaze. Here, students can learn about special activities just for them at the city’s libraries, view the Library Teen Council’s publication by and about teens known as Create!, and find links to homework help, references, college information and more.

Valley Metro - The valley transit system publishes activity books for students and a field trip guide for teachers and offers many resources on their website. For more information, call 602-261-8253.

Water Conservation Education Sources for Teachers - The Water Department offers a variety of curriculum materials on the subject of water conservation, including booklets, reproducible worksheets, maps, videos and more.

Your City Government - This publication offers a survey of Phoenix history and government for adults. Information provided will clarify and supplement the explanations in the student booklet Phoenix is Your City. Please call 602- 262-7176.

Other Publications

In addition to the city's resources, these other publications are helpful to the student of government. To learn more about local government concepts, visit the following publications and organizations:

Investing in our Future - Published in 1990 by the International City/County Management Association, this handbook addresses needs and challenges associated with teaching local government in the schools. Although the book is written to encourage local government officials to reach out to schools, you may find some effective teaching and partnering ideas. The last chapter of the book is an incredibly thorough list of resources for teaching about government, including recommendations for texts, organizations and computer software. For a list of publications or to order, call ICMA at 202-962-3500. There is a $15 charge.

Kid's Voting – Kids Voting Arizona focuses their program on educating students about democracy, elections and the voting process. The education component provides curriculum materials, consulting, training and current information for teachers. The election component gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in their classrooms by accompanying their parents or another registered voter to the polls to cast a simulated ballot. Ask your district for the name of the Kids Voting coordinator at your school or call 602-279-3414.

Last modified on 10/31/2008 11:30:28