School Programs
Fire Services recognizes our most effective public education initiative is the annual elementary school program. Educating children from JK through to Grade 4 allows the Prevention Division to teach young impressionable children the basics of being safe from fire.
Over the past several years we have also taken the opportunity to make contact with Grade 8 classes and discuss their role as young adults in fire safety. Over the months of January to May, the Prevention Division manages to educate over 3,000 students.
Kindergarten to Grade 4 Program
At the primary level, there are five program themes that rotate annually, they are: 'Get Out Alive', 'Stop, Drop and Roll', 'Matches and Lighters Are Tools Not Toys', 'Where There's Smoke, There's Science', and 'Get Out, Stay Out'. These programs are delivered to our local Kindergarten through Grade 4 elementary school children by the Public Education Officer. Approximately 30-40 minutes is spent with each grade level presenting an interactive scenario.
Example: In the 'Get Out Alive' program, the Public Education Officer walks the students through a potential scenario utilizing a floor layout, illustrated on a printed roll out mat. One student sounds a smoke alarm and other 'sleeping' students are instructed to crawl low under smoke and gather at their predetermined meeting place. They are then instructed to proceed to a neighbour's house. The scenario is repeated several times with each student having an opportunity to participate. This program is very well received by the students and has proven to be a valuable teaching asset when covering topics such as, the need to develop, implement and practice a home escape plan, the importance of having a meeting place, the dangers of smoke and how to contact emergency services utilizing 911. A question and answer period follows to reinforce the topics covered.
Grade 8 Program
In the Grade 8 program, the theme is based on the video entitled 'No Time to Spare', depicting typical fire progression in a home which enforces the importance of both working smoke alarms and home escape planning. The presentation runs approximately 45-60 minutes, including a brief introduction about the role of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, followed by a question and answer period, as well as a brief discussion on the 'Chemistry of Fire'. The video 'No Time to Spare' is then shown, followed by a question and answer period with a discussion based on a 'Growth of Fire' chart. This program allows the Fire Prevention division to review fundamental fire safety tips and reinforce the importance of fire safety with an age group that will soon be babysitting, staying home alone, and even starting to cook on their own.
High School Program
In parallel with the primary grade program, the Secondary level is also educated. Specifically, high school Foods, Law, and Career/Civics courses. They are provided with fire safety tips and information specifically related to their course based on the Ontario Secondary School Curriculum. The 'Kitchen Fires or Not' program consists of discussing the root causes and mitigation strategies with young adults who are beginning to be introduced to cooking and the kitchen area. Tips regarding unattended cooking, distractions, kitchen clutter and how alcohol is often times. For the law courses, the 'Fire and the Law' program consists of discussing the basis of the Ontario Fire Code, laws associated with fire incidents, and scenarios based on factual fire related incidents. In Career/Civics courses, an overview of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services pertaining to all aspects of the service is provided, along with a question and answer period, and information on schooling, training, including a basic career overview.