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Darth Vader as a "Firefighter"?
This is an old trainig concern that arose years ago that I thought was dead but with the rise of Starwars as a cult film it may be relevant again,you decide if it's usefull. Years ago we did a recue scenario in which we used younger children as some of the "victims" and we failed to find some. We later found that they had crawled out of their areas and hid because to them the firefighters looked and sounded like Darth Vader.
With the resurgence of the Starwars classic , it may be pertinent for those of you involved in childhood fire prevention education to expose kids to the looks and sounds of S C B A and a quick lecture on the fact that the f/f on the other side of the face piece is a friend and not to be avoided . You decide weather you think this should be included in your lectures but I felt compelled to share it. We had no idea the effect this had on kids but young minds are fertile imaginations.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Anytime I've done pub-ed in the lower grades (k-3) we always start out with a firefighter in uniform, asking the kids if he/she is scary. As we progressively dress the firefighter in more PPE the kids are asked, at each stage, is the firefighter scary? (All the separate pieces of PPE are explained as they are donned). By the time SCBA, facepiece, hood and helmet are donned and the firefighter is on air, when the kids are asked if the firefighter is scary, they all yell no. It's a matter of slowly acclimating them to the appearance of a decked out FF, in a comfortable setting with positive reinforcement. The firefighter will then crawl around and between the students, yelling "where are you?" with the students responding "Here." They get to see and hear what a firefighter looks and sounds like in full PPE and on air (the darth vader effect). It's amazing what a slow and methodical approach can accomplish. Or...you can barge into the room in full PPE and scare the crap out of them.
Also, I suggest NOT comparing a FF in PPE to darth vader, you make think you've made your point, but to some of the kids you've only just reinforced theirs. If a kid brings up darth vader, point out how a firefighter is NOT at all similar and why. Sounds simple but I've seen FF's stutter and clam up on this (and other) issue(s) (mostly they're intimidated by kiddies but even still, you have to be prepared.)
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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I've never found a conscious victim while searching, so I suspect this phenomenon is probably exaggerated, but it is important to educate the kids.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Thanks Jack great points, as I said we had the reaction of these kids and felt compelled to deal with it since they hid. I'm sure the gradual method is better and commend you for being able to develop this idea, obviously this is why I love this network great ideas all the time
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Granted. The schools ask for demonstrations during fire prevention week so it's a fun but practical exercise along with stop, drop and roll. How many kids catch on fire and remain calm enough to do that (or adults for that matter).
On the other hand, we've shown up for a call of smoke, or smoke detector etc, and the family is at the curb. Sometimes the little one's enthusiasm for a 'fire truck' quickly wanes when he/she sees firefighters getting off the rig, packs on their backs, masks dangling, big old scary leather helmets. I've watched kids freak out as we walk by to investigate.
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I guess the kids in the 'hood aren't so easily intimidated. Then again, we're just part of the urban-landscape, and the kids are a little jaded and not impressed by us one way or another.
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Only "hoods" around here are designer ones. Effluent suburbia has it's own unique charm. On occasion we've been 'asked' to respond non-emergency...it's considered a bit rude to wake the neighbors for something like a personal emergency. Quiet stoicism and all that.
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I've never heard suburbia described as "Effluent" before. Does that mean they consider a fire siren to be an effront? (Sorry - I'm bored).
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Bear in mind it's one thing to get their reactions surrounded by friends in a well lit classroom and another when they are alone in the dark and scared.
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Play on words, you'd think that by having a couple of bucks they'd be happy, instead they have a bit of a shitty attitude, hence effluent. Sheesh WP, have I been giving you too much credit?
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Good one. Naturally I looked up Effluent before posting. I didn't think you'd be able to weasel out of it. Guess I'm not giving you enough credit.
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I'm a bit surprised you had to look it up. On the other hand, bravo for having learned how to use boldface. You are on your way to being quite the techno-wiz.
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You might be surprised I admitted having to look it up but, really, it's not a word routinely encountered. ('specially round these here parts).
And I also have to admit that my little boy done learned me how to do the "techno-wiz" stuff. He's realintelajentsmart.
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