Learn Not to Burn 

LEARN NOT TO BURN IN ANN ARBOR

In 1997, The City of Ann Arbor Fire Department was awarded a Learn Not To Burn Champion Grant from the National Fire Protection Association. The application for the grant required a demonstrable level of community commitment from the school administrators and the fire department which can proudly be said was shown. The National Fire Protection Association is providing training and materials to launch the pilot program.

Essentially, Learn Not To Burn Program integrates fire safety education into classroom curriculum. Working together, teachers and the Ann Arbor Fire Department will bring fire safety information to Kindergarten through Third grade classes. These children will learn 22 key behaviors that will save lives. The pre-schools will receive instructional materials which will teach 8 key fire safety behaviors.

COMMON EDUCATIONAL FEATURES OF THE LEARN NOT TO BURN FAMILY OF PROGRAMS:

• Programs were developed as a response to the need for accurate, easy-to-use materials from public fire safety educators and school teachers.

• Content was thoroughly researched and approved by professionals in the field to be appropriate to age ability, and needs of target audience.

• Materials were tested with classroom students and teachers in a variety of settings.

• Instructions is based on the philosophy that a positive approach of preparedness is less frightening for children.

• Guidance for implementation is offered within the package.

• Program is complete and is designed to be easily understood and used without the need for additional resources.

• Background, supportive information accompanies each objective for instructors who are not fire safety experts.

• Objectives are stated behaviorally in terms of student performance outcome.

• Lesson plans are prepared for teaching each objective with additional suggested activities.

• Letters and activities are provided for reinforcement and application at home.

• Integrative activities allow for combining lessons with other disciplines of the school curricula.

• Evaluation instruments are prepared for use in pre- and post- testing.

• Pages for student use and teacher record keeping may be duplicated.

• Ongoing support is available from the NFPA public education staff and NFPA Fire Safety Education Representatives.

The K-3 program has been recognized twice by the NFPA, once for a save and another for a success.