On September 24, several members of the Barrow County Children after the Fire (CAF) coalition received some unique training.
Members had the opportunity to see what victims experience during a house fire.
“This training will go a long way in helping the coalition members understand what it is like to be in a house that is on fire,” said Lieutenant Scott Dakin, the Children after the Fire coalition chairman. “It gives them an opportunity for training that is not available for most citizens.”
The training was held at a house donated by the Barrow County Airport Authority. Barrow County Fire and EMS workers have been conducting various training exercises at the house over the past few months.
CAF members were first shown what the house looked like with light and no smoke. After donning firefighting gear, including the self contained breathing apparatus, members were led back into the house to watch the rooms fill with smoke.
Each member was left alone in a smoke filled room for a few minutes to get a sense of what it is like to be in a house filled with smoke.
Dana Dillard of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, part of the Children after the Fire Coalition, said her respect for the fire service grew tenfold after participating in the training exercise.
“After gearing up and taking part in the ‘smoke out’ training, I have a much greater appreciation for what firefighters, as well as children and adults, involved in a house fire may experience,” she said. “And I was just dealing with smoke, not even live fire. I cannot even imagine and honestly hope I never have to. I am eternally grateful to the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday for us.”
Children after the Fire is an award winning program that assists children who have been involved in a fire or who have lost a family member due to a traumatic death.
The program offers counseling and education services to the children. Each child is eligible to receive up to 12 sessions. Counseling services are provided by The Tree House. Barrow County Emergency Services, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and the Winder Police Department also offer educational sessions tailored to the child’s needs. The program is offered at no cost.
Joanna Menendez of The Tree House was one of the training participants.
“Surrounded by smoke I realized how scary and paralyzing it could be to a child or even an adult,” said Menendez. “To wake up and see darkness and not be able to breathe would be extremely impacting. This has been a once in a lifetime experience.”
The coalition celebrated its fourth anniversary on October 7. In the upcoming year, CAF plans to expand its offerings by providing a re-entry program. This program will help children and their families as the child prepares to return to school after a traumatic event.
The program will not only provide help to the child, but also to the child’s classmates and teachers by explaining what happened to the child and how that child may be affected.
“The Re-Entry part of the Children after the Fire program shows how well the coalition works together,” said Lt. Dakin. “Counselors, teachers, administrators, firefighters and law enforcement officers and Children after the Fire coalition members will all work together to make sure that the child’s return to school is as smooth a transition as possible.”
According to Dakin, departments around the state have expressed an interest in beginning their own Children after the Fire programs. The program has been presented several times at the safety symposium held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. In 2006, Barrow County Emergency Services received the International Fire Chiefs Association’s Award of Excellence for the program.
The Children after the Fire Coalition includes Barrow County Emergency Services, The Tree House, Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, Barrow County Sheriff Office, Winder Police Department, Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in Schools, Barrow County Schools, and the American Red Cross.
“The Children after the Fire program is setting a standard that others will be following and it is something that everyone involved in is very proud of,” said Dakin. “I really enjoy working with every member of the coalition and I am looking forward to all the things we will do in the future. Most importantly though is that the program is available to all the children in Barrow County who need it.”
