This presentation helps students identify smoke alarms and proper maintenance, teaches the nature and behavior of smoke including proper techniques (crawling) to stay safe in a smoke-filled room, and provides an opportunity for students to practice crawling low under smoke. A West Metro firefighter shows students a functioning smoke alarm and explains the different sounds the smoke alarm makes when it needs a new battery (referred to as its heart) or signals a fire in the house. Students then have the opportunity to make their own "smoke alarms" (using two small paper plates). Next, the presenter uses guided questioning to help the students understand that in a smoke-filled room, the "good air" stays close to the ground while most of the "bad air" (thick, black smoke) moves toward the ceiling. Students are able to conclude that crawling low keeps their lungs safe in a smoke-filled room. Finally, each student has a chance to practice crawling low under smoke. A large black sheet (held on each end by two adults) is used to simulate the smoke. Each student takes a turn crawling low beneath the sheet to a predetermined "safe place" on the other side.

To schedule either of these presentations: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

Emergency! Call 911!

The Emergency! Call 9-1-1 presentation is designed to teach children the proper procedures for calling 9-1-1 to report an emergency. After a brief explanation of the difference between emergencies and common problems, students are introduced to the three basic types of emergencies - Fire, Medical (Injury), and Police (Danger). Afterward, students have an opportunity to create their own "pretend" emergency situations and practice reporting them to a dispatcher (West Metro Firefighter) on a simulated 9-1-1 telephone machine. The "dispatcher" prompts students to describe the emergency situation and then provide an address, telephone number and name. Emphasis is placed on staying on the line until help arrives rather than hanging up immediately after giving the information. Feedback (in the form of a letter) is provided for each student's parents, informing them about their child's knowledge of name, address and telephone number.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH)/Life Safety Trailer

The Life Safety Trailer is a mobile classroom designed to teach students about safe escape from a home in a fire emergency. Guided by a West Metro firefighter, groups of students visit the three rooms in the trailer (kitchen , living room, and bedroom) emphasizing different safety messages in each room. In the kitchen, students are encouraged to remind parents about basic safety tips for cooking such as turning pot handles inward and keeping loose fitting sleeves away from the stove. In the living room, students practice stop, drop and roll, discuss calling 9-1-1 and identify and review proper maintenance for smoke alarms. In the bedroom, students learn about the basic nature and behavior of smoke as artificial smoke fills the bedroom to simulate a house fire. Students crawl to a heated door and then to a window demonstrating the need to identify two ways out. Finally, students use an escape ladder to meet the rest of their "family" at the mailbox meeting place.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

Hunt for Home Hazards

Activities for this presentation center around a "Hazard House" - an interactive, learning tool designed to help students identify and correct hazards inside a doll-sized home. Guided by a professional West Metro firefighter, students tour the "Hazard House" searching for potential hazards. Typical hazards simulated in the "Hazard House" include: overloaded electrical outlets, pot handles turned out on the stove, unattended food cooking on the stove, fireplace without a screen, improper extinguishing of smoking devices (pipes, cigarettes), improper use of hairdryers (and/or other electrical devices) near bathtubs, children playing with lighters/matches, improper storage of flammable objects, objects cluttering hallways and/or stairways, chimneys collecting leaves and debris, and lack of/improperly placed smoke alarms and/or fire extinguishers. After correcting all hazards in the "Hazard House", students are challenged to conduct their own Home Safety Surveys using a checklist provided by West Metro Fire Rescue.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

F.A.C.E. the Facts: Arson Awareness

The F.A.C.E. the Facts presentation uses audio-visuals and discussion to educate students about the legal, financial and personal consequences of inappropriate uses of fire. Many students do not realize that in addition to running the risk of severe burns or death, a ten-year old who sets a fire may receive a ticket, go to court, and/or face several other possible sentences, including financial obligations. The goal of the presentation is to reach students in our district before they make a poor choice and heighten their awareness of the dangers of fire setting. The intent is not to scare students, but to provide them with valuable information so they are able to make responsible decisions.

For more information on juvenile firesetter programs click here.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

IN YOUR F.A.C.E.
Arson Consequences and Liabilities

The interactive presentation combines lecture, audio-visual and discussion to educate students about the laws and consequences of arson. The presentation teaches students the importance of making proper choices and explains how individual actions may have an impact their own futures as well as the futures of their families in the area of criminal justice and civil court systems. After learning the about the legalities and civil liabilities associated with arson, students are empowered to use decision-making and problem solving skills to evaluate and respond to scenarios involving arson and/or fireplay. Many middle school students do not understand the legal consequences of the misuse of fire. They often do not fully understand their own vulnerability and the potential devastation that can develop from their irresponsible choices. This presentation will help students realize the impact of firesetting on not only themselves, but the long-term effects on their community and family.

For more information on juvenile firesetting programs click here.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

Stop, Drop & Roll

This presentation educates students on the simple fact that fire burns skin, teaches the three step process for staying safe when fire "gets on" clothing or skin (stop, drop and roll), and provides an opportunity to practice proper stop, drop and roll technique. Fire burning skin may seem like a simple concept, but many young children do not realize how fire can hurt them. They do not understand the serious nature of fire and cannot make the connection between fire burning wood, paper, or cloth and fire burning skin. Beginning with guided questioning, a West Metro firefighter helps students understand fire and its effects on wood, paper, cloth and even skin. After that, students watch as the firefighter demonstrates the "stop, drop and roll" technique emphasizing: staying still since running makes the fire burn faster, falling to his/her knees first, then lying on the ground or floor and covering his/her face with his/her hands to prevent injury, and rocking back and forth to smother the flames. Proper techniques for "stop, drop and roll" are then reinforced when students sing-a-long with a catchy "Stop, Drop & Roll" song. Finally, each student has a chance to practice "stop, drop and roll" by placing pretend fire (simulated by a felt flame stuck to clothing) somewhere on their body. As the students drop to the ground and rock back and forth, the felt flame falls off the clothing (simulating that the fire has been "put out").

To schedule either of these presentations: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

Tools Not Toys

Tools Not Toys is an interactive presentation designed to teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults not toys for kids. They are encouraged to "keep their hands away from matches and lighters and quickly tell an adult whenever they see matches, lighters or any other tool." After a brief review of the difference between a tool and a toy, a professional West Metro Firefighter takes out a "magic bin" filled with various items: hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, matches, lighters (tools) and books, stuffed animals, action figures (toys). The firefighter uses the "magic bin" to play a game with the children by removing items individually from the bin and having children decide if the item is a "tool for adults to use" or a "toy for them to play with". In almost all cases, children quickly identify the obvious (hammer, screwdrivers, pliers) as tools. Often, it takes a bit more time for children to understand that matches and lighters fall into the same category. After the "magic bin" game, children have an opportunity to practice what they have learned. The presenter places some matches (or a lighter) out in the open and a child "acts out" a scenario of finding the matches, keeping his/her hands away, and quickly telling an adult (the teacher) to take the matches away.

For more information on juvenile firesetting programs click here.

To schedule this presentation: use the on-line request form or call Micki Trost at (303) 989-4307 x554.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.

Teen Safe Driving

The goal of the program is to empower young drivers to make wise decisions while driving and to reduce the amount of injuries to teens resulting from automobile crashes.

Two West Metro Firefighters deliver this presentation in the classroom. The presentation uses an interactive format of showing a video and stopping it at key topics for discussion. The five risk factors discussed are: The presence of other teens in automobiles, speeding, night driving, lack of seatbelt use and alcohol. A survey is given to teens to assess their attitudes and behavior regarding driving. Teens are given the opportunity to discuss their driving concerns and ask questions. The classroom teacher gives another survey two weeks following the presentation to measure the impact of the program on teen driving and attitudes.

Length of Program: one classroom period.

To schedule this presentations: use the on-line request form or call Susan Saito at (303) 989-4307 x537.*

*Please note: The Community Outreach Division requires at least two weeks advance notice to schedule a presentation.