Prevention Week

[Bootsatcfd]

Not much activity going on in this forum. Anybody doing anything different this year with fire safety education???

[GPM123]

Quiet here

I also was clicking here the past week or so to see what's up. But I guess Most who post here are not into the prevention part of what we do.
We have our open house with Sparky, extinguisher demo, give aways, cookies, pepsi, kids get to sit in a truck.
Along with school and day care visits. I try to keep it simple. I show sparky's ABC video, ask them if they want to be on Sparky's team
Yes.. then touch on smoke alarms and escape plans. Then get fully dressed in PPE to show them it is just a person, then pass out prevention material while still wearing the BA. When done right, no kids are scard. By the way, this is pre school to K. the older the more topics you can touch on. you can over do it.

I live in a small town.5500, When Parents stop you in the mall to tell you their little sally made them check their alarm and draw a plan you know it's working. A great feeling.

[Joebru]

When done right, no kids are scard

Shortly after I started, I witnessed this done the wrong way with little kids. Was not a good scene.
Can you give me some examples of things to do and not to do?
I have done some first aid training with school kids, but would like some pointers on this aspect.
Thanks

__________________________________________________ ______________

Some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant.

[GPM123]

Tips

This is what works for me. I'm sure others can add a lot to it.
-Plan your presentation. Take notes with you that you can look at if you get lost. you can lay them on a table near you and no one will know.
- get the teacher to tell them you are coming.
- introduct yourself and tell them why you are there and what you are going to do.
- smile, this is going to be very cool !! Tell them so.
- as you do your thing aske questions that they can answer, then say " good answer" You guys are doing great
- Don't have anyone walk in dressed in bunker gear. Get dressed in front of them. Talk to them while getting dressed." This is the coat, pants, my fresh air tank, can you hear the FF breathing the air? "
- Let them touch the gear
- I get my FF to Pass out FP material to each of them In full PPE after he gets dressed in front of them.
- get him to do a dance, make believe his straps are tangled etc.
- make it fun

I got to take part in a Fire Prevention skit with Ronald Mcdonald one time. A great learning experience. Childrens enterainers have many tips we could use.

If you have any more questions you can send me a PM.

[Bootsatcfd]

Very good points there GPM123 a couple of other things to think about
- becareful of loud noises (PAL alarm) even the beeping of a detector, let the children know what you are about to do- warn them several times
-We have started getting a teacher to dress out(clean gear) for little ones. We help them get dressed talking as we go " This is your friend the teacher just like the firefighter is your friend.
- get on their level - sit on floor or small chair don't tower over them
-don't walk toward children if they seem scared - stand back and let them warm up to you
- never use negative behaviors when teaching children - don't play with matches or fire - don't show them what not to do
-keep things fun let them participate
- and if you lose them ( they get frightened) wrap it up don't try to push ahead and finish, make plans to come back later but a little thought and consideration can prevent this from happening
- use toys or things little ones relate to - when we teach about not playing with matches or lighters we use the "tools(for adults) or toys(for boys & girls)" approach our tools are made from foam(big, colorful and funny looking) and our toys are things they recognize
I think the most helpful thing is, like GPM talked about, get the teacher or leaders to build up program or tour before children get there or before you arrive at school/daycare. Educate teachers on what you will be talking about and what you will be doing. This sure has made things more helpful for us. We use clowns, puppets, magic and music to teach little ones about fire safety behaviors. Even with clowns and puppets some little ones are scared but when teachers have told them what will be happening - programs seem to flow real well. GOOD Luck

[3Swings]

Good thread folks.

This is my first year as Fire Prevention Coordinator. I've been so busy lately trying to organize things I'm going crazy. Generally speaking, I over plan so it's probably my own fault. I've helped with our open house for years now and I think we do pretty well. We have kitchen fire/grease fire demos, extinguisher demos, I've even got a dryer fire demo. All of them have been successful in the past and teach kids and adults how these fires happen, how to prevent them, and what to do if they happen. All of this in addition to the usual coloring contest, teaching the kids to escape a smokey house fire (I borrowed a smoke trailer this year), and being friendly to the public. All in all we have a pretty nice open house.

My next hurdle is to make fire prevention a year long event.