Denver Public Schools, in partnership with the Denver Fire Department, Denver Firefighters Museum, the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross and Community Resources, Inc., is pleased to announce the continuation of the Simply Safe! (Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness) program for DPS elementary schools.  This program (formerly known as the FSEP program) reached 50% of DPS elementary schools during the 2007-08 school year and will be coming to the remaining schools during 2008-09.  Community Resources, Inc. has been selected as the official coordinator/scheduler for this program.  In total, we will be providing programs for 53 DPS schools for the 2008-2009 school year.

The Simply Safe! program is designed to educate students ECE-5 on basic fire safety and emergency preparedness concepts.  The components of this four-part program are as follows:

Fire Safety by the Denver Firefighters Museum           60 minutes

ECE & K                                                                                  1 class at a time

This program has been developed to teach ECE & K students what they need to know concerning fire safety and prevention.  A safety house presentation concentrates on lessons regarding how hot things burn, crawling under smoke, checking doors, knowing the sound of a smoke detector and arranging for a safe meeting place.  Following this presentation, the presenter practices calling 911 with the students and uses a magnetic firefighter to demonstrate the protective gear that firefighters wear as community helpers.

Fire Safety by the Denver Firefighters Museum           30 minutes

1^st & 2^nd grades                                                                   1-2 classes at a time

This program begins with a 10-minute video that deals with topics such as the dangers of smoke inhalation, creating a home escape plan, etc.  After the video, the program is enhanced with activities that teach students the three elements of fire, how to cool a burn, when to call for help and the dangers of false calls. The presentation will be accompanied by fire safety booklets that feature a follow-up classroom activity on creating a home escape plan.

American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness            30 minutes

4^th & 5^th grades                                                                   1-2 classes at a time

The Masters of Disasters Education Curriculum, developed by the American Red Cross, provides tools of preparedness to elementary age children, so that in the event of a natural or man-made disaster they will know how to stay safe and will have prepared an emergency plan for communication.

Denver Fire Department Smoke Trailer                           20 minutes

1^st – 5^th grades                                                                     1 class at a time

Approximately one week after your students have had the opportunity to participate in one of the above described programs, the Denver Fire Department will bring their Smoke Trailer to your school.  Each class will then have the chance to experience the Smoke Trailer for about 15-20 minutes. This program is taught/facilitated by a DFD firefighter.  Three classes can be scheduled per hour.