Being the point-person for a fire prevention or safety education presentation can be a stressful situation. If this presentation is in front of a firehouse or auditorium filled with children, those challenges become magnified. Foremost Promotions has collected ten tips to help you navigate your way to a successful fire prevention training session. These quick and actionable tips are great ways to help deliver an educational presentation that will make a positive impact with children of all ages.
Demonstrate - Performing and demonstrating the procedures of fire safety is a crucial aspect of educating children of all ages and is a building block of proper training. In many cases, you and your team will be the first exposure a child will have to fire prevention education, so it is important to demonstrate the correct way to perform safety techniques. By doing so, you avoid confusion and help a child make a connection from your words to the application of that training. This is a vital first step in assuring your message is delivered properly.
Hands-On Education - To truly make your fire prevention education impactful, your training should include time dedicated to practicing the tips you discuss in your fire prevention training session. Many children learn by doing, and taking the time to allow children to practice “Stop Drop and Roll” or “Staying Low in a Fire” will provide a physical connection with your lesson plan. This is a simple way to promote participation and insure your training is resonating with your audience.
Incorporate All Learning Styles - Statistics have shown that a training lesson that incorporates sound, touch, and visual aids makes a longer lasting impression on children than those that do not. Remember, children learn in various ways, and if your fire prevention lessons fail to incorporate these vital elements, you may lose a percentage of your young audience. Opening a smoke detector, incorporating coloring books and stickers, hearing a fire truck’s siren, or seeing an emergency strobe are all examples of creating an immersive learning experience for young children.
Keep It Fun -It might seem simple, but the most important factor to consider during your session is to keep the training fun. A child’s attention span is short, so it is paramount to keep them engaged , entertained, and stimulated to ensure the important underlying message is driven home. Being a subject matter authority is meaningless if you cannot connect with your young audience and that connection begins with making your fire prevention training fun.
Practice Makes Progress - Always give your fire prevention training a test run to iron out kinks, ensure you cover the important information you need to convey, and make certain that the length of the training stays within the allotted time for the session. If an hour is granted for training, you’ll want to make sure the test run comes close to that mark without going too far over. The test run will help you to avoid time distractions, revise any details, and allow you to focus on delivering the best fire prevention training you can.
Use Training Tools - When teaching children fire safety, the use of training tools could be the difference between a successful training and a presentation that misses the mark. Coloring books, pencils, plastic fire hats, stickers, and temporary tattoos are just a few training tools fire departments have used to connect with youngsters and conduct successful fire prevention classes. Fire prevention education can be both instructional and fun, and incorporating training tools in your program will assist in promoting brand awareness and encouraging children of all ages to follow your fire safety instruction.
Keep it Simple - Now is not the time to discuss the hydraulic workings of your pumping station or the chemical components of a fire extinguisher. Speaking in simple terms and avoiding fire-fighting jargon is important when speaking to your young audience. Communicating in a way that is clear, concise, and upbeat should always be your focus and will help carry out the goals of your training. The easier it is for a child to understand your teachings, the more success you will have in promoting your fire prevention message.
Be Mindful of Children With Disabilities - Your fire prevention training needs to be tailored to include and educate children with physical and learning disabilities. Whenever possible, contact a teacher, school administrator, or organization in advance to determine if you will be addressing a group both with and without disabilities. It might be useful to meet ahead of time with the children who have disabilities to address individual concerns and to answer questions. Spending extra time demonstrating fire safety behaviors will go a long way in helping deliver your message to children with disabilities.
Reward Positive Behavior - Many children become shy or even frightened when in a classroom environment with a person they are unfamiliar with. Breaking the ice with these types of children can be tough and it makes your job a bit more challenging. Rewarding positive behavior and participation from your students with inexpensive giveaways and handouts is an easy way to make that connection and promote a positive learning environment. This positive learning environment is key if you want to have a successful fire prevention program.
Find A Mentor - Finding a mentor or another department member who has conducted fire prevention education classes in the past is an easy way to learn exactly what works and what to avoid during your training. These tips can provide valuable lessons in classroom management, communication, and learning styles and help set a foundation to assist you and your fire prevention goals. If possible, attend a fire prevention session before conducting your own and take note of the instructor’s style and the methods they use incorporate their training tools. Emulate others that have had successful fire prevention sessions until you are comfortable making the presentation teaching methods your own
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