Afraid your child is too young handle an emergency? Think again
Kindergarten to Grade 5 students learn everything from calling 911 to CPR at York Region's Community Safety Village

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 18, 2017
Teresa Latchford

Parents shouldn’t hide the reality and truth from their young children.

York Region Community Safety Village supervisor Debbie Robinson understands parents can be hesitant to teach their children about fire and emergencies because they don’t want to instil fear, especially in the wee ones.

However, the Stouffville-based facility that provides police, fire and most recently paramedic education to around 30,000 students from kindergarten to Grade 5 every year, has had tremendous success in teaching prevention to help not only keep the participating students safe but also the people around them.

“Knowledge is power,” she said. “Those students are then ambassadors in the community.”

This week marks the opening of the paramedic classroom at the village and the first full-time paramedic educator to join the team.

Students from Kleinburg Public School were the first to make use of the new addition.

The training and safety lessons are part of a unique tri-services partnership between York Region Paramedic Services, York Regional Police and local municipal fire services.

Following classroom lessons in the learning centre, children visit the miniature village located on the same property to put their knowledge to use in simulated situations such as evacuating a house full of smoke, practicing the rules of the road on bikes and more.

“The education program follows the school curriculum to ensure it is age appropriate,” York Paramedic Services community program manager Chris Spearen said. “There are messages that can scare young children but the approach can make all the difference.”

The idea is to give students the information they need should they ever need it including medical emergencies or simply having to ride in an ambulance.

Students in the new paramedic room got to try the heart monitor and stretcher carried in ambulances. Seeing a peer and hearing an explanation of the equipment takes the mystery out of situation and will allow the students to have an idea of what will happen should they ever find themselves in an emergency situation.

These students were also instructed how to perform CPR on dummies that were arranged on the floor after learning about what cardiac arrest is, the symptoms and how CPR or the use of a defibrillator can dramatically increase the chance of that person’s survival.

“There are plenty of incidents of children, three or four years old, calling 911 and saving a family member,” he said. “But having said that, parents know their children and know what types of things they can handle.”

At four and five years, kindergarten children should be taught about community helpers such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics so they understand how each can help them if they are in need, things that are fire hazards and illness prevention with a focus on hand washing.

When a child hits Grade 1, he or she can be introduced to emergency situations and how to call for help using 911, how to stop, drop and roll when there is a fire and what household items can cause burns, chemical exposure and cuts. Children should also be taught how to float if they should fall into water and the need to wear a life-jacket.

At seven years of age, a child should be taught road signs and practice pedestrian safety. They should practice identifying a 911 emergency and be exposed to the family fire escape plan. Build a home first aid kit and teach your child how to tend to common first aid needs. Children at this age should also be able to spot potential risks on the playground.

In Grade 3, children can learn how to properly fit a bicycle helmet and how to ride safely including the use of bicycle lanes, traffic lights and crossing a railway. Children should learn about fire and combustion and potential fire hazards as well as the equipment paramedics use. Also, children should know what to do to help someone while waiting for an ambulance.

Around nine years, a child is ready to learn about making positive lifestyle choices, the consequences of poor choices and the role peer pressure plays. Discuss the difference between natural and man-made emergencies along with the Top 5 emergencies that could happen in York Region. Families can make emergency kits to be prepared. Teaching your child about mental health, keeping themselves resilient and buffering stress is a good idea.

Ten year olds are ready to learn about internet safety and appropriate online behaviour including the risks of sharing personal information. The importance of being prepared before an emergency happens, creating a 72-hour emergency kit and evacuating home without notice are all age appropriate. Grade 5 students are also ready to take a CPR course and learn to use a defibrillator.

For more information about York Region Paramedic Services, visit York.ca/paramedics and for more about the Community Safety Village, visit yrp.ca.