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Public Education Section
Public Education Officer: Jodi Dyck
Office: (805) 681-5556
Cell: (805) 896-5134
Email: JMDyck@sbcfire.com
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Fire and Life Safety Trailer School Program
During the months of January, February, and March, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department hosts the Fire Safety Trailer Program. This is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression on young minds and to teach 3rd grade students of Santa Barbara County important fire and life safety lessons. The goal of this program is to reduce the incidents of fires, injuries, and damage caused by fires each year.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department launched this unique program using a travel trailer specially designed as a kid sized home complete with a kitchen, living room and bedroom. The Fire Safety Trailer is taken to each elementary school in Santa Barbara County and set up for a 50 minute fire and life safety program. This program is taught by an engine company with three to four firefighters serving as the teachers and working directly with the third grade students. There are three stations for the students to visit during their Fire Safety Trailer tour. The first station is the living room and kitchen where students learn about typical fire hazards in the home, and cooking fire safety and where they learn about burns and first-aid treatment. The second station is the bedroom where the students learn about the importance of smoke alarms, having an escape plan, knowing two ways out, and having a safe meeting place outside. The third station is outside the trailer and is co-taught by an American Red Cross volunteer and firefighter the focus of that training is Disaster Preparedness for the Family , with a focus on making a home disaster survival kit.
The Fire Safety Trailer is one of the most unique and valuable tools firefighters have for teaching public fire safety education. Each year, firefighters throughout Santa Barbara County Fire Department reach about 2000 third grade students with lessons from the Fire Safety Trailer. "We know from experience that we've got the right audience in our Third Grade students", comments Jodi Dyck, Public Education Officer. "The students soak up everything they see and hear. Once the kids get home, they share their experiences with their mom, dad, younger brothers and sisters. We've heard from the parents that their kids wouldn't stop talking about the Fire Safety Trailer.”
“We will never know how many tragic stories have been prevented with this training, but that doesn't matter. The goal is to reduce the incidence of fires, injuries and property damage caused by fires."
Curious Children Set Fires - Practice Fire Safety in Your Home
Each year about 150 people are killed and $200 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire. Children make up 15-20% of all fire deaths.
We want to encourage parents to teach children at an early age about the dangers of fire. Children under five are curious about fire. Often what begins as a natural exploration of the unknown can lead to tragedy.
- At home, children usually play with fire in bedrooms, in closets and under beds. These are "secret" places where there are a lot of things that catch fire easily. Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time.
- Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.
- Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters.
- Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.
- Develop a home fire escape plan, practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.
- Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
- Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY!
- Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
- Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out in the case of fire.
- Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.
- Install smoke alarms on every level in your home.
- Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
- Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery at least once a year and replace the smoke alarm every ten years.