Fire Prevention and Safety Training Update
As we complete the first year since the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) rolled out our Fire Prevention and Safety Training initiative, we would like to thank you for your cooperation as we worked to make this as simple as possible for you, the providers, to make the changes you needed and requested in order to facilitate this program.
The findings from our pre and post testing reporting, showed a pre test exam average of 58% and a post test exam average of 84%. With these results we feel that the program has been effective in educating the staff on fire safety. We thank you for the data. We are now past our evaluation phase and no longer need the pre and post testing data. Therefore, you are no longer required to submit this test data to DDS.
We continue to listen to your comments and are working on additional changes. The prospect of having a Spanish version is still in the works, and the electronic files have been created for closed captioning, all of which are close to completion. We have eliminated the need to utilize the pre test, and for 2011 the final exam will be the “Version B”, which is located on the DDS web page. Providers should use Version A for any remediation that they may need to do. As a reminder, the passing score has been determined as a minimum of 70%.
As we now begin the process of refresher training on this curriculum, we will utilize only certain sections of the program, for 2011. We would like you to use sections 1- Fire Prevention, 3 - Fire Emergencies and 5 - Site Specific Plans. We still expect the staff to have an understanding of the other chapters, as such, they will still need to be tested on the material. The chapters do have the Section Summary Sheets, which are a helpful tool for the facilitator, if the student has a question on the chapters not covered in 2011.
Another tool that DDS has available for Providers, is a state of the art “Fire Extinguisher prop”. This prop is a computer controlled kitchen stove that utilizes a smoke machine and laser lighting to simulate a fire condition on a stove. The prop fire extinguisher, when used correctly will put the fire “out”. If used incorrectly the fire will not extinguish. There are two of these training props available, one through the Southbury Training School Fire Department and another through the Connecticut Fire Academy.
If any Provider is in need of additional CD’s or the use of the Fire Extinguisher prop, please contact DDS at dds.firesafety@ct.gov. The Spanish and closed captioning versions will be made available in early spring.
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