K-12 Safety Education
At Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, we know that the key to prevention is education. This is why we prioritize being with the community and delivering valuable, life-saving information to all ages and stages of life. The materials on this page have been created by the public educators of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue for use by teachers in the classroom. Some programs are teacher-led while others are part of our school outreach and involve us coming to your school. We hope these materials help support your efforts in bringing fire and life safety education into your classroom. If you have any questions or would like to request materials for a specific safety topic, please reach out to education@centralpiercefire.org
Preschool
-
Preschool Community Helpers
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Firefighters as Community HelpersDear Early Learning Center Educators,
We want to start off by saying, “Thank you!” for your interest in partnering to instill fire and life safety messages at this young age. Prevention is key, and we are excited to offer our Community Helpers program to meet your needs and bring a fun experience to your site location. We have many requests throughout the year for a fire engine and crew to visit preschool groups within our district to teach about fire and life safety, what firefighters do, and show the kids an engine. Unfortunately, due to emergency call volume, we are unable to fulfill these requests. However, all kindergarten students in our district do receive education from us within their elementary school, and we have created a special Preschool Community Helpers Program to accommodate the number of requests and make this learning opportunity fit the flexibility needs of preschools.
In order to maximize the impact of this educational experience, we are providing educators with a specially-designed teaching component. This program includes a Community Helpers video (linked here) and a letter home to families (attached below). The main points of this program include helping children identify firefighters as safe community helpers, what they look like in their bunker gear, and a movement component that teaches crawling low under the smoke to escape in the event of a fire emergency safely.
Positive outcomes in safety awareness within our community are not possible without the help of educators like you who share critical messaging, such as Community Helpers. We cannot emphasize enough how thankful we are for all you do and your partnership in fire and life safety!
Sincerely,
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Graham Fire & Rescue
Orting Valley Fire & Rescue
Elementary Education
-
Community Helpers (Grade: K)
-
Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: Community HelpersOur public educators and firefighters will make a visit to kindergarten classes for a 20 minute presentation all about Community Helpers. This visit includes three main lesson portions: showing students a firefighter in full gear for familiarity, practicing “get low and go” (our crawling under smoke and heat movement), and talking about how firefighters help the community.
How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Community Helpers program runs from the end of April through the beginning of June.
*Our Community Helpers curriculum is modeled after Learn Not to Burn, which is programming offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
-
Sounds of Safety (Grade: 2)
-
Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: Sounds of SafetyOur public educators will make a visit to second grade classes for a 30 minute presentation all about the Sounds of Safety. Student objectives for this program include understanding what a smoke alarm is, where it belongs, what sounds it makes, and what to do when students hear it.
How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Sounds of Safety program runs from the end of February through the beginning of April.
*Our Sounds of Safety curriculum is modeled after Learn Not to Burn, which is programming offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
-
The Great Escape (Grade: 5)
-
Type of Instruction: Classroom presentation from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue
Topic: The Great EscapeOur public educators will make a visit to fifth grade classes for a 60 minute presentation all about the The Great Escape. This program teaches students how fire behaves, the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes, and culminates with the creation of their own Escape Plans in the event of a house fire.
How to participate: our educators will reach out directly to elementary schools in our fire district to schedule these classroom visits. The Great Escape program runs from January through February.
*Our Great Escape curriculum is a combination of educational material from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
For families who would like more information about this critical safety topic, click here to learn more about fire escape planning. -
Wildfire Awareness (Grades: 1-5)
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-led
Topic: Wildfire Awareness
Google Slides – Wildfire Awareness Presentation Link, Grades 1-2
Google Slides – Wildfire Awareness Presentation Link, Grades 3-5This presentation is designed to cover three main objectives: what do we need to know about wildfires, why do we need to plan for emergencies such as wildfires, and how can we be prepared and stay safe? This presentation typically takes around 35-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion. The materials are separated by grades (grades 1-2 together and 3-5 together). Included in these resources is the presentation, a reading activity, a letter to families, and a resource for families.
How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, which is a great time to deliver this to students.
*Our Wildfire Awareness curriculum is a combination of educational material from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. National Park Service (Smokey Bear), and Britannica Kids.
-
Pedestrian Safety (Grades: K-6, PE)
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Pedestrian Safety
Google Slides – Pedestrian Safety, Instructor Overview
Google Slides – Pedestrian Safety, Classroom PresentationThis presentation is designed to cover four main objectives: describe the importance of walking, define traffic-related terms, describe and demonstrate safe walking behaviors, and to increase safe walking behaviors at home. This presentation offers short activities that can be done in any order and sequence; time is flexible depending on the need and availability.
How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.
*Our Pedestrian Safety curriculum is adapted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the City of Tacoma’s Safe Routes to School, and SafeKids Worldwide.
Middle School Education
-
Safe & Responsible Choices (Grades: 6-8)
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Making Safe & Responsible Choices
Access the Google Slides Presentation hereThis presentation is designed to cover three main objectives: help students to accurately rate the level of risk in behaviors, apply responsible decision- making to reduce risks, and select safe and responsible choices in situations involving fire. This presentation typically takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion.
How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.
*Our Safe & Responsible Choices curriculum is pulled directly from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
-
Caring for Self (Grades: 6-8)
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led
Topic: Caring for Self
Access the Google Slides Presentation hereThis presentation is designed to cover two main objectives: to view fire safe behaviors as an important part of gaining independence and responsibility and be able to describe at least 5 important home fire safety actions for teens who stay home alone. This presentation typically takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on depth of discussion.
How to participate: this presentation can be used freely by a teacher in the classroom or homeschool group at any point in the school year.
*Our Caring for Self curriculum is pulled directly from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
High School Education
-
Arrive Alive (Grade: 12)
-
Type of Instruction: Multi-agency presentation
Topic: Arrive AliveThis program is designed for the senior class and consists of two main parts: a live demonstration and a survivor’s presentation. This live demonstration utilizes two wrecked vehicles, fire and police apparatus, and emergency response personnel. During the demonstration, students will see the timeline of this collision from the initial 9-1-1 call to the final patient transport. Immediately following the demonstration, students will transition to the auditorium for the presentation portion with a local DUI collision survivor and advocate.
How to participate: our department will reach out directly to high school administration in our fire district to schedule these presentations. The Arrive Alive program runs from April through June to coincide with prom and graduation season.
View our Arrive Alive video here.
This program is possible through the support of our school districts and the collaboration with Puyallup Extrication Team, Puyallup Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and Orting Police Department.
-
Fire Extinguishers (Grades: 9-12, Elective Classes)
-
Type of Instruction: Teacher-Led or Classroom Visit
Topic: Fire Extinguishers
Access the Google Slides Presentation hereThis presentation is designed to cover four main objectives: help students understand basic fire behavior, allow students to identify the classes of fire, ensure proper identification of the components of a fire extinguisher, and describe how to properly operate a fire extinguisher. This presentation is a great one-day presentation in elective classes such as culinary, shop, autos, and welding.
How to participate: this presentation can be used by a teacher in the classroom or teachers can request a classroom visit from our public educators to deliver this instruction. To request a classroom visit, please complete the event request form (linked here). Please note, all requests must be made at least 30 days in advance.