Clowns

The Hastings Fire & Rescue H.E.A.T. (Hastings Educational Action Team) Clowns were formed in 2000 to bring the message of Fire and Injury Prevention to the citizens of Hastings in a fun way. Through clowning we have a way to teach kids of all ages while having a lot of fun. This is just one of many programs that have contributed to the success of Fire Prevention Education.

An example of one of the programs the clowns perform is a "match play prevention" program intended for a preschool audience. Research has shown that children at this level of development.

Experience rapid growth in intellectual capabilities.

Begin to identify with role models.

Begin to develop a conscience.

Feel that adults have all the desirable characteristics and try to imitate those behaviors.

Discover that the use of words "good" and "bad" depend on whether an object, event or action is encouraged or discouraged.

Most children at this age are naturally curious about fire. For the majority of them it is a simple fascination, but to some fire is an obsession. The correct action that should be taken to discourage negative behaviors, such as playing with fire, is to explain the proper behavior. For example, instead of simply saying, "don't play with matches", explain what to do with them. State that, "Matches should be given to an adult." This is an appropriate response because it is very important to children at this age to please their parents.

This program, which uses a "clown" character to convey the message, adheres to the concept that fire is a "tool" used by adults and is not a "toy". This program compares fire to other common tools that small children ;might recognize, such as a hammer or a screwdriver. Other props include toys with which most children are familiar. One-by-one the clown removes the objects from a bag and asks the kids to tell him weather it's tool or a toy. After removing the match and lighter from the bag, the clown then explains that fire is a very important tool used by adults. Fire gives us light, heat, and cooks our food. But when young people use fire as a "toy", it can burn down houses and even kill people. More often than not, the one playing with the matches is the one who gets hurt.

The 5-step method of instruction for pre-school children is as follows:

Gain and hold attention

Deliver a message

Reinforce the message

Repeat the message

The message should be entertaining

The use of a clown is a very effective method of gaining and holding a small child's attention. The message delivered is that of match safety. Reinforcement is gained by repeating the message several times throughout the program.

For further information about the "CLOWN" program contact:

HASTINGS FIRE & RESCUE
c/o Capt. Darin Clark
1313 N. Hastings Ave
Hastings, NE 68901
1-402-461-2350 clown@hastingsfire.org

	SWFD (Squirt Water Fire Dude) as it says on Squirts Helmet first joined the Hastings Fire Dept. in 1992, after having been born and raised in Lincoln, NE. Squirt has changed over the years but has never changed his enjoyment of teaching the message of Fire & Injury Prevention to kids of all ages. Squirt's favorite joke in the Grater Joke, next time you see Squirt ask him about it.
	Axe is a hobo clown from Round Rock Arkansas. He has a deep southern draw & a shallow brain. Axe has been with the Hastings Fire Dept. for 3 years. His contribution to the H.E.A.T. Team is to show kids through exaggeration . Axe's message is for all kids that matches & lighters are tools and not toys.
	I'm Spanner the Clown, I am a quiet clown that like to have fun teaching kids about fire prevention is a big part a Spanner. If I can change one child's attitude towards playing with fire, it will be worth it.
	Junior D Clown is a fun loving clown that was born in April 2001. Junior is an exciting charismatic clown that is concerned with the safety of children. The amount of children that are in the water unsupervised is a scary subject for Junior. So remember, always swim with a pal and under supervision.
	Rags believes himself to be a clown that is versatile, he likes to be helpful and he likes to be funny. Now Rags has many colors that he chooses from, but they are always bright colors. Rags enjoys helping kids and informing them of fire safety, and stop drop and roll.
	An easily excitable clown who enjoys working with children of all ages, Skid rolled into Hastings last February from the birthplace of Motorcycles, Milwaukee, WI. Skid enjoys teaching children the fundamentals of Bike safety. Unfortunately, Skid learned the hard way.
	Q-Tip has only been around here a few months. He is a skinny little feller from down yonder. Q-Tip loves to go fast and when He crashes he always makes sure his wounds are clean. He is a safety clown.
	Steamer Cap is from the great Northeast. He has been a clown since moving South. Steamer Cap is old enough to know not to play with hot water, or play with pots & pans.
	I'm Pliers the Fire Clown. Nobody really knows where I come nor do I. One thing is for sure nobody knows what I will do next. I have been hanging out at the Fire Station for a couple of years now. I have learned that kids have been playing with fire. It's my mission to educate people on the dangers of fire.
	Siren evolved as a member of the HFD Clown Troop in the Summer of 2000. The main objective of Siren is to educate children on safety issues involving fire prevention, as well as many other safety topics children face every day. The use of laughter is a very important tool in gaining the attention and trust of the children Siren is trying to reach.