Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin teaches a “Safety Zone” class to students at Auburn Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services.
Safety Zone program nominated for award
Barrow County Emergency Services recently nominated the department’s Safety Zone program for the annual International Association of Fire Chief’s Award for Excellence.
“Several years ago we were finalists for our ‘Children after the Fire program’,” said Barrow County Emergency Services public information officer Lt. Scott Dakin. “This year we wanted to nominate the Safety Zone program to see what would happen. Although we did not make the finals this year, it is still an exceptional program that is being modeled after by departments around the state.”
Dakin started the program four years ago. The program offers numerous school safety education programs geared towards different age groups. More than 20 organizations participate in the effort.
Classes for elementary school aged children include car safety, electrical safety and poison prevention. Suicide prevention, dating violence, substance abuse prevention and other programs have been offered in Barrow County middle and high schools.
“When I started this I never realized how big it would grow or how large an impact we would have,” Dakin said. “It has been so popular and has such great programs to offer that departments from around the state are now looking at offering a version of it in their schools.”
Though the program was not selected as an award finalist this year, Dakin plans to try again next year.
“Every organization involved is working with smaller budgets and yet they are still involved as they know the value of the program,” said Dakin. “We are all proud of the Safety Zone and know the value it has on the safety of the children of Barrow County.”
Dakin started the program four years ago. The program offers numerous school safety education programs geared towards different age groups. More than 20 organizations participate in the effort.
Meg Loggins, with Barrow County Family Connection/Communities in schools teaches Auburn Elementary school students about poison prevention. Photo courtesy of Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services.
“When I started this I never realized how big it would grow or how large an impact we would have,” Dakin said. “It has been so popular and has such great programs to offer that departments from around the state are now looking at offering a version of it in their schools.”
Though the program was not selected as an award finalist this year, Dakin plans to try again next year.
“Every organization involved is working with smaller budgets and yet they are still involved as they know the value of the program,” said Dakin. “We are all proud of the Safety Zone and know the value it has on the safety of the children of Barrow County.”
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks