911 TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS
VOLUNTEERS CORNER
The idea for the Arvada (CO) Volunteer Fire Department’s 911 training program began at a safety committee planning meeting. At such meetings members of the Arvada fire and police departments meet with safety committee representatives from area schools to plan public education classes. At one meeting the committee felt strongly that kindergarten through second-grade students should know how to properly access 91 I to report an emergency. One member suggested a mock phone system as a training tool.
We asked AT&T’s “Telephone Pioneers of America” — a group of retired AT&T engineers who work part time out of their Westminster, Colorado, design lab —to build a 911 phone system for Arvada’s children. They tackle special requests from nonprofit organizations, especially projects that benefit the public. Within weeks they built a one-of-a-kind device using AT&T’s patented Merlin Phone System and gave it to us free of charge. T he system consists of two phones, a control box, and a special speaker. (They since have built one other device.)
As word of the availability of this new training tool spread, requests for it poured in from schools.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Our department provides the class with a lesson plan that encourages discussion on the types of emergencies a child may face at school or at home. We define medical, fire, and police emergencies for the students. We stress that they need to know their first and last names, address, and phone number. If they are reporting a house fire, we tell them the dispatcher will ask them their location and if everybody is out of the house. If they are reporting a burglary’, we teach them how to give a description of the individual(s) involved.
After the students understand what situations require emergency help, they create detailed scenarios so they can practice reporting emergencies on the 91 1 system. I play the role of the dispatcher. Through this training, students can practice reporting an emergency in a calm and accurate manner and can be prepared for questions the dispatcher will ask in a real emergency.
Finally, we discuss with the class when not to dial 911. We also give background information on the system at this time, stressing that the system is designed to help people in need, not to catch children playing on the phone.
FAVORABLE RESPONSE
Comments from teachers have been favorable. They emphasize that the program is very’ much needed, relates well to the age group, keeps the children’s interest, is organized and educational, and provides helpful information.
We have presented the program to 50 classes in five elementary schools this school year; we expect to teach in 14 others by the end of the calendar year. Moreover, volunteer firefighters now use the system for fire prevention activities, during station tours, and at our annual public safety’ day.
(Photos courtesy of Arvada Fire Department.)
