Smokey's Scouts

Greetings adventurers! Did you know that Smokey has his own app now?

The Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Protection Compact – Wildfire Prevention Subcommittee is happy to announce that the Smokey’s Scouts App is now available on both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android) – go to your app store of choice and search Smokey’s Scouts to download or use these QR codes to get there quickly.

Apple Store QR Code

Google Play QR Code

Have you heard of Candy Crush? Yeah? Of course you have. This has some similarities with Candy Crush, where you must match at least three, and you get power-ups to help complete the level. Unlike Candy Crush, you are drawing a line among “wildfire causes” such as charcoal briquettes, matches, and lighters – if you can draw the line to it via a square adjacent then it counts to remove the source. As you progress through the levels, they get harder or introduce new mechanics.

While helping Smokey remove fire sources, you can tap on Cecile, the local historian, to learn facts about wildfire; and you can tap on Daren, the local firefighter, to help spot the hot. Piper, the scout leader, gives out periodic challenges if you tap on them.

Daren the Firefighter

Piper the Scout Leader

Oh, and some other majorly cool differences from Candy Crush? You don’t have to pay to play or wait/ask for lives! Give it a shot, or even better let your kids try – and learn in the process!

Fall Search and Rescue Manager Course Announcement

The Search and Rescue Manager Course will be located at Bald Eagle State Park, Tuesday October 11, 2022, through Friday, October 14, 2022. Registration ends September 7, 2022.

Ranked at the top of the SAR training pyramid this course provides the students with the skills to manage and oversee search operations.  Only those with the interest, commitment, and experience level to match this responsibility should consider attending.  Prior to this training individuals must be trained as a search responder.

Participants must receive supervisory approval prior to registration.
Please note: This does not guarantee participation in the course. You will receive a confirmation from Chad Northcraft or Mike Becker by September 14th if you have been selected. Please do not book a room until after this time.

LODGING & SUBSISTENCE: 

Lodging will not be provided. Recommended Hotel:  DAYS INN STATE COLLEGE

• Arrangements for overnight accommodations, if needed, will be the responsibility of the student.
• Options for overnight accommodations can be found in the Preferred Lodging Guide.
• Those in overnight status with corporate VISAs must use them for lodging payment.
• Employees who do not have a personal travel card and need to use the agency lodging card must complete the form along with a reservation confirmation and forward it to copahotels@adtrav.com and Susanna Gyger (sugyger@pa.gov).
• Procedures and forms regarding hotels/agency lodging card use can be found at:  http://www.budget.pa.gov/Services/ForCommonwealthTravelers/Preferred-Hotel-Program/Pages/default.aspx   
• ***Remember a Tax Exempt Form; review/take a copy of your hotel receipt upon checkout
• Lunch will be provided. Please contact the Training Coordinator two weeks in advance for special meal requirements.

RESTRICTIONS

Prior to this training individuals must be trained as a search responder.

For more information and to register click here.

Learn Not to Burn

Did you know that historically (2002-2021) 0.6% (260 fires) of wildfires here in Pennsylvania were caused by children? In 2021 0.8% of wildfires (11 fires) were caused by children. With that being said, today we’d like to switch gears a little bit when talking about Fire Prevention to bring your attention to the Learn Not to Burn program.

The National Fire Protection Association has provided this program for more than 40 years. The Learn Not to Burn program was specifically designed to educate children with positive, practical fire safety messaging. There are four different stages of the Learn Not to Burn program, starting with Preschool and ending with Second Grade.

NFPA created the Learn Not to Burn Preschool Program in 1991 to address the high risks children under the age of five face regarding fatal home fires. This program uses movement, music, literacy, and dramatic play to provide an age-appropriate (3–5-year-old) learning experience.

The main point of the program is to instill in young children that firefighters are community helpers, that smoke alarms are important, to get out and stay out when they hear a smoke alarm, practice fire drills with family, to stay away from hot things, and to tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters.

The kindergarten program builds on and reinforces the lessons taught in the Preschool Program. Going into a little more depth that is appropriate for the age group. This program also goes over fire drills in school.

The first-grade program follows most of what the first two programs discussed, including the importance of smoke alarms, fire drills, and, staying away from hot things. What’s new with this stage is how to report an emergency and knowing when to stop, drop and roll.

The second-grade program also follows certain portions of the first-grade program, including the importance of fire alarms, home fire drills, reporting emergencies, staying away from hot things, and, knowing when to stop, drop and roll. This program brings in the concept of kid-free zones in the home.

Each stage of the program recommends involving the local fire department in some way to help children understand more of what is being taught to them.

If you are interested in these programs, you can download them for free from the NFPA website by clicking here.