LIFE AND FIRE SAFETY

When Innovation Counts

The Town of Mount Pleasant took the lead county and statewide with an innovative program addressing life saving techniques. The Mount Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) took the lead statewide, when it became the first senior LAFS troop to travel to the Benton Fire Department to teach fire and life safety methodology. The LAFS Program – an anacronym for Life and Fire Safety – uses music, clowns, magic and skits to teach and reinforce fire and life safety techniques to school children.

Taking the Lead

The LAFS Program has taken the lead with its methodology teaching and has exceeded the expectations of the department. MPFD is currently home to more than half of all the LAFS clowns and puppeteers in the state of South Carolina. Over the past few years, MPFD clowns have reached over 134,375 people throughout the state. Their waiting list of requests for speaking engagements from schools and groups extends well over eight months.

How does it work?

The LAFS Program uses clowns, puppets, magic and comedy to teach life and fire safety skills. The program realizes that children may be afraid of badges and uniforms. Clowns are more realistic and dynamic than puppets and reach out to older children very successfully. Younger children relate better to puppets, which are easier to use than clowns and less intimidating to youngsters Props can be purchased or made. The most common material to make a prop is with foam. Foam can be dyed, painted, marked with magic markers and can be created to appear as an oversized facsimile of the original. They grab the attention, steal the scene and establish a initial rapport with the audience.

The MPFD has implemented a methodology of life and fire safety techniques addressing a variety of topics ranging from seat belts to fire exits. The department is now sharing this methodology with fire departments across the state.

How much does it cost?

There is no cost to operate the LAFS Program since all the props are personally owned by town firefighters. It is a stand-alone program thriving on the dedication of the LAFS clowns and puppeteers. The Town supports the program by allowing LAFS teachers schedule flexibility and by channeling fire department-related donations to the purchase of a sound system for the program.
Community Impact
The proactive stance of the LAFS Program serves to combat, reverse and prevent alarming national statistics on child safety. When using a friendly puppet to explain the danger of playing with matches, LAFS firefighters reach out to the child in a unique, meaningful and lasting way.