Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
CFA has transformed its Fire Safe Kids program into two new, curriculum-aligned and developmentally appropriate programs.
The new programs were shaped through extensive consultation to better reflect today’s classrooms, emerging fire risks and strengthened child-safety standards.
CFA’s previous children’s education program, Fire Safe Kids (FSK), was developed in 2011. It consisted of a series of classroom lessons and a truck and fire hose activity. But many things have changed since 2011.
Classrooms look different, children interact with more digital media and have shorter attention spans, and they have more electronic devices in their homes. In addition, houses are consumed by fire more rapidly than they were 20 years ago, giving children less time to safely exit. Research shows that children need to be taught fire safety messaging appropriate to their age.
Over the past two years the Community Engagement team has redeveloped the children’s program following feedback from members, educators and parents to better understand the challenges and successes of FSK. Then consultative groups were established with volunteers and regional and headquarters staff to provide additional valuable insights.
The result is two new programs and a suite of resources that better reflect our understanding of child development, improve our compliance with child safety standards, align with the latest curriculum and include prevention of emerging fire hazards.
Truck Time
The fire truck activity is now a standalone program called Truck Time, consisting of hands-on activities for children such as climbing into the cabin or on the back of the truck, seeing how fire hoses work, looking at equipment in the lockers and learning about simple fire safety messaging.
Truck Time is best delivered at community events, school fetes and fire station open days, but can also take place during school hours. However, it should be delivered on a separate day to Fire Wise Kids because research shows that when truck activities are delivered on the same day as classroom fire safety programs, children are distracted in the classroom and forget those important messages.
The training for CFA members consists of a 30-minute eLearning module that explains the new Truck Time guidelines, CFA’s child safety and OHS requirements, and ensures Truck Time is a safe, inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone. All members delivering Truck Time also need a current Working with Children Check.
“The Truck Time eLearning module was useful for clarifying exactly what we can and can’t do with the kids. It cleared up a lot of misinformation,” North Warrandyte Brigade Community Safety Coordinator Martin Anderson said.
“The child safety risk assessment template and the truck safety procedures helped streamline the whole process and brigade members could be confident that we were providing the kids with a fun, educational and safe experience.
“More than 80 three and four-year-olds attended four different Truck Time sessions at our station and everyone really enjoyed the experience. Afterwards, the kids sent us lots of pictures that they had drawn of the visit to say thanks.
“The experience creates lifelong memories and connections with local brigades. Some of our current members still remember their trip to North Warrandyte’s station when they were at kinder.”
Fire Wise Kids
Fire Wise Kids is CFA’s new in-classroom program delivered by CFA members. The five new 30 to 60-minute lessons cover the most important aspects of fire safety for children including smoke alarms, exiting safely, home hazards, calling Triple Zero, basic fire science, outdoor fire safety, and more. These lessons are tailored to age groups from kindergarten to Year 4.
The lessons have been developed with child development, learning styles, individual needs, curriculum and fun in mind. The lessons consist of a mixture of explaining with visual resources, questions and answers, and physical activities. These work together to ensure children learn and remain engaged throughout the lesson. Topics are separated to ensure they are age and developmentally appropriate.
Paul Webster, a Fire Wise presenter and captain of South East Region Community Safety Brigade, can see the benefit of the updated program.
“Giving kids an education about fires and emergencies is important as ever. With Fire Wise Kids and Truck Time we can separate the lesson and truck experience to achieve better education,” Paul said. “Plus, we can educate kids in a fun way.”
Fire Wise Kids lessons are reinforced by providing the children with a pack to take home that includes a Family Fun activity book, sticker sheet and certificate.
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