Oakland Fire Department

Course Description

OBJECTIVES

To provide a comprehensive, basic, overall Home Fire Safety and Prevention program so that by the time a child is twelve and graduates from the sixth grade s/he will have the knowledge necessary for life long personal fire safety.
To involve parents and families in the program so as to encourage fire prevention and safety at home through out the city of Oakland.
To inculcate the concept that fire prevention is a possible and achievable goal which requires only some basic awareness and precaution.
To create interaction, awareness and communication between the Public Schools, the Fire Department and the community on the subject of fire safety.
To educate the community at large while educating our children.

COURSE CONTENT

Smoke Detectors

Function

Installation

Maintenance

Purpose - Use

E.D.I.T.H. Exit Drills In The Home

Home exit plan including two exits from every room

Use of primary and secondary exits

Outside meeting place

Reporting a fire or other emergency

Dangers and consequences of false alarms

Planning and executing a family fire drill

METHOD

Lecture, demonstration

Either individual or combined classes will be visited by one or more firefighter trained in the above curriculum.

The firefighter/s will show the class a smoke detector and set it off demonstrating the test button. S/he will discuss correct installation and the method and importance of proper maintenance.

Natural progression leads to a discussion of what to do if ever the smoke alarm goes off. The firefighter will stress the importance of pre-planning a family evacuation and escape plan. S/he will stress the added safety of sleeping with the bedroom shut and the necessity of planning for two exits from every room, particularly bedrooms as the majority of fatal fires occur at night. S/he will discuss the testing of a closed door for pressure, smoke, and heat, the use of primary and secondary exits, the need for an outside meeting place and the correct procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency. S/he will describe the 911 system and stress the dangers of placing false alarms, in particular the possible consequences to others in dire need of assistance.

Using the handout floorplan samples of a single story and two story home the firefighter will discuss alternate escape plans showing two exits from every room of a single story and two story residence. S/he will also discuss evacuation of multi-storied or multi-occupancy buildings. S/he will stress the importance of involving all family members in developing an escape plan and that since each home is different they need to make a plan for their own home with their own families.

Once again, natural progression leads to a discussion that though it is essential to have an escape plan the ideal is to never have a fire in the first place. Accidents can and do happen but it is possible to reduce the likelihood of a fire by the means of some simple precautions. The firefighter will briefly discuss the most common causes of fires and how to guard against them.

The session will end with questions and answers before visiting the fire engine on the yard.

TIME

Program time is approximately an hour and a half.

MATERIALS

Smoke detector

Handouts:

(to possibly include but not limited to...)

Home Fire Escape Plan graph

"Home Fire Safety Inspection Checklist"

"Fire Safety Activities Book" Channing L. Bete, Inc

"Fire Safety Crossword" NFPA

Gold foil stick on badge

Red plastic fire helmet

Fire Engine punch out

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES

In class completion of worksheets.

Simulation role play of the appropriate procedure to report a fire or other emergency.

Drawing of own home escape plan including two exits out of every room and/or building exit plan.

Devising home escape plan and returning the plan to the teacher with the signature of a parent indicating that the plan has been practiced at least once with the entire family participating.

Completion of the "Home Fire Safety Checklist" and return to the teacher signed by a parent indicating that the hazards discovered by the student have either been corrected or that an adult has been made aware of them.

PREDICTED OUTCOMES

Knows the purpose of smoke detectors, comprehends their life saving potential. Knows how to maintain and encourages the installation and proper maintenance of smoke detectors in the home.
Uses a home escape plan, helps the family develop a plan, encourages practice of the plan, and can describe the procedures to follow.
Immediately reports a fire or smoke and knows the correct procedure for doing so.
Convinced of the danger of placing false alarms and discourages others.
Is aware of the potential hazards of smoking and encourages others to practice safe smoking habits.
Recognizes the need for periodic home inspections and participates in correcting hazards with supervision.
Recognizes the potential hazards of accumulated trash and rubbish. Encourages and participates in its removal.
Recognizes the hazards of flammable liquids and encourages storage in safety containers and proper locations, handles with extreme caution.
Recognizes the hazard of vapors from flammable liquids and discourages their use in enclosed, unventilated areas or near heat or flame.
Prevents spills of flammable liquids and is aware of the need for immediate clean up and proper disposal of clean up materials. Knows to strip off contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin immediately.
Places outlet covers in unused electrical sockets and encourages others to do so, particularly in households with younger children.
Understands the the danger of overloading a circuit and encourages the safe use and placing of extension cords.
Understands the importance of proper fusing and encourages safe fusing.
Recognizes the danger of frayed or worn cords and encourages their removal and replacement.
Encourages the purchase of electrical equipment bearing a testing agency label.
Recognizes the danger of using electrical appliance in or near water.
Recognizes the need to unplug appliances when not in use and the dangers of multiple use of small appliances on a single circuit.
Understands the potential dangers of heating equipment and is aware of its proper use and placement.