The Urban Survival Program, taught by specially trained firefighters, includes a comprehensive injury prevention curriculum. Phoenix Fire Department developed the program in conjunction with schoolteachers, nurses, physicians, school administrators, and numerous individuals from a variety of community based agencies. Several fire departments across the Valley and Arizona use Urban Survival in classrooms, including Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear and Chandler. This year, the new Scottsdale Fire Department is introducing the program to schools in its jurisdiction.
The Urban Survival message is simple: injuries are NOT accidents. Through an array of modules, Urban Survival teaches fire prevention and life safety skills necessary to prevent tragedies in our community.
The delivery methods are dynamic, creative, innovative and entertaining. By making the messages relevant, meaningful, sensory rich, and fun, Urban Survival students learn and remember how to lead a safer life. Numerous success stories have been told, many lives have been saved, and many tragedies have been prevented.
Curriculum
Urban Survival skills should be taught throughout a child’s life to help them react properly when faced with various hazards and emergencies. The modules are taught in the classroom based on:
The dangers children face at various ages
Their ability to learn cognitive and practical skills.
As children grow, more information and skills are taught to match their developing cognitive and physical abilities. For example, a kindergartener is taught to have a smoke detector in the home and to periodically check it to make sure if it “beeps.” As the child reaches fourth grade the child can be instructed on where to locate smoke detectors in the home and how to properly maintain them.
The ideal plan invites firefighters into classrooms at least three times a semester to continually introduce new concepts of safety, while reinforcing previous lessons learned. The schedule flexes to fit into specific and immediate needs in the classroom. There are additional modules that can be substituted or added into the plan to complement curriculum.
Personal Wellness
In addition to injury prevention and personal safety topics, our firefighters are available to address wellness issues. This spectrum includes addressing youth violence, self-esteem and fitness issues.
How do I sign up?
If you would like your school to become part of the Urban Survival Program, contact:
Scottsdale Fire Department
Public Education Officer
8401 E. Indian School Road
Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
(480) 312-1817