Colorado's Distributive Education Club of America

Project Characteristics Program Areas Targets hard-to-reach/at risk population Innovative or non-traditional approach Exemplifies "seed money" concept Occupant Protection Targeted Audience Jurisdiction General Population, Youth Community/County

Goals

• Develop a student-centered and sustained occupant protection program
• Form a partnership with the local fire department for training and education of student participants in the project
• Establish an ongoing, student-sustained occupant protection program

Strategies

South Metro Fire Rescue taught classes in seat belt use and child passenger safety to the student members of DECA using a modified Buckle Up America! Curriculum and the Child Passenger Safety (CPS) curriculum offered through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Following successful completion of the classes, DECA student members accompanied South Metro Fire Rescue on a CPS checkpoint for benefit of the local Safety Awareness Day. The event was held in the parking lot of a local franchise of a national home improvement center. During the day, the trained students assisted fire department staff in conducting 36 CPS checks, by filling out required paperwork, distributing traffic safety materials, and caring for the children while fire department personnel checked the installation of child safety seats.

Encouraged by the success of their involvement in the Safety Awareness Day activities. The students developed ongoing traffic safety classes, lectures, and slide presentations, which they shared with their classmates throughout the school year, and during the summer months for Drivers Education classes at the school. In addition, the students continued to participate with South Metro Fire Rescue in conducting numerous CPS checkpoints.

Results

• Students have been credited with helping to raise awareness of occupant protection issues throughout the community.
• Students are viewed as an outstanding untapped resource, capable of bringing increased awareness, in particular, to high school students and their families