MySafe:LA delivered the first of a series of disaster decathlon events at Anatola Elementary School in Van Nuys, California. The event, conducted in two parts, is designed to teach students about the many types of emergencies they could face as young people, and how to keep themselves better protected and aware. Overall, there are ten steps that students are taught.

A classroom – or more typically an auditorium presentation is delivered, including guest speakers from the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAUSD, and Dr. David Bliss from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. A MySafe:LA educator leads the presentation, covering smoke alarms, fire escape plans, calling 911, a family safe meeting place, and the other types of disasters that could unexpectedly occur – at any time.

When the auditorium presentation is completed, students then go back to class and participate in State required activities and recess. While that is taking place, a MySafe:LA educator delivers a “fire safety in the home” presentation to student’s parents, who are invited as part of the decathlon.

The exciting part of the event is the live station to station rotating presentations delivered on the school playground after recess. Students tour a series of learning stations, including from the LAFD, learning about a fire engine; Southern California Edison, talking about the dangers of fallen electrical wires, as a result of fire, a storm, or other reasons; LAUSD School Police, who bring a police dog;, MySafe:LA, teaching stop, drop, and roll; and other entities who share their expertise in fire and life safety.

It’s a full half day for the students, but they go home with a lot of fire and life safety stories, materials, and best of all, a free smoke alarm for every student. The full schedule of Disaster Decathlons in LAUSD schools begins in March 2020.