Fire Engineering Training Community

Where firefighters come to talk training

I am hoping to get some feedback from others on this. My department has had pretty much the same program for many years. Our program is geared for the younger elementary age, but I am thinking of putting together a program for the middle to high schoolers as well. Our current program starts with a short NFPA Sparky video, then we have a firefighter enter the room in full turnouts and SCBA, and then turns down to his street clothes. Afterwards the kids are given a tour of the fire apparatus, followed by a snack. Feedback from the teachers will always get the response.The kids loved the fire trucks, and the cookies. I am hoping for a little more this year.

Do you differ the program for kids of different ages? A K4 student doesn't grasp information the same way that a 3rd grader will. Any feedback will help.

Views: 125

Replies to This Discussion

Jeff,

I am amazed that with so many successful programs out there your question doesn't have hundreds of suggestions or ideas posted.

First to answer your last question, yes the program should be different depending upon the age group. I would even suggest that K thru 2 is more of a reasonable cutoff, and then 3rd through 5th, 6th through 8th. Older than that I think you start dealing with specifics i.e. work related, personal... such as home and health, and than environmental.

But as to your needs for your department. I think when you are dealing with the K to 2 group remember they have a short attention span and their learning curve lends itself toward repetition. Teach them what to do if their clothes catch fire (Stop,Drop and Roll) the firefighter should demonstrate and then get some of the students to repeat the firefighters actions. The phrase Stop, Drop and Roll sounds like a rhyme and they will repeat it often. Teach them that matches are tools (for grown-ups) not toys. Make sure they understand when they find them to give them to an adult. If they grasp those two lessons and you can quiz them during the live demonstration as to the correct responses, you will have made an impact.

3rd through 5th are hungry to learn things, it makes them feel important. Take a blanket with you and have you and the teracher or another firefighter stretch the blanket out between you and hold it about three feet from the floor. Have the students crawl under it and explain that this is the level smoke could be if their house was on fire. Explain how smoke and heat rises and cooler, breathable air is near the floor. Teach them about calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for fire response. The need to know their address, phone number and to call from a safe location, not their house if its on fire. Discuss meeting places out side their home for the whole family etc. This can all be done in 30 minutes and you can evaluate their knowledge of the subject by asking questions of the class or asking them to demonstrate.

6th through 8th like visuals with data. I would use tools that are easily transportable like empty gasoline containers and explain how fuel vapors work. Appliances like coffee pots, pots and pans and the need to move handles inward so they cannot be bumped by elbows or arms. Burn prevention items and what to do when you sustain one (cool a burn). We speak about bath water temperatures, microwaves, metal objects heated by the sun etc.

If it would help see if someone in you area has an old copy of NFPA's Learn Not To Burn. It was developed in age appropriate manuals. On line their are several free sources. The Lowes Home Safety Council has free material, Safe Kids Coalition has some injury prevention tools.

 

Good luck it is the most important work you do as a firefighter. You can save more lives with prevention then a hose. No offense to all of us in the service, but teaching them what to do in case of fire, or how to prevent them from ever occurring is true life saving work.

RSS

Policy Page

PLEASE NOTE

The login above DOES NOT provide access to Fire Engineering magazine archives. Please go here for our archives.

CONTRIBUTORS NOTE

Our contributors' posts are not vetted by the Fire Engineering technical board, and reflect the views and opinions of the individual authors. Anyone is welcome to participate.

For vetted content, please go to www.fireengineering.com/issues.

We are excited to have you participate in our discussions and interactive forums. Before you begin posting, please take a moment to read our community policy page.  

Be Alert for Spam
We actively monitor the community for spam, however some does slip through. Please use common sense and caution when clicking links. If you suspect you've been hit by spam, e-mail peter.prochilo@clarionevents.com.

FE Podcasts


Check out the most recent episode and schedule of
UPCOMING PODCASTS

Groups

© 2024   Created by fireeng.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service