The free, online campus fire safety training program, igot2kno, was launched in 2008 by the People’s Burn Foundation. This project, funded by a DHS Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, developed a training program that was specifically geared towards today’s Internet generation and is entirely available online at www.igot2kno.org.
FAQs for igot2kno
What is in igot2kno Version 2.0?
Based on a national survey and input from our team of subject matter experts, there were three topical areas that needed to be addressed on campuses (and were also lacking in fire safety information):
Cooking safety
Egress
Alcohol and fire safety
Based on this, we developed three interactive games where the students have to identify cooking hazards before they can start cooking, find two ways out of a room and a building and make a party “party safe” before kicking it off. For the egress game, there is also the additional twist where there are different levels based on their sobriety (or lack thereof).
There are also a great series of video clips including the one from Version 1.0 of the hypothetical party, its tragic outcome and then the real-life story of the Seton Hall Fire that claimed the lives of three students in 2000. New videos were shot that include interviews with families that have lost children and a brother, fire officials and others in communities where tragic, fatal fires have occurred. There are also a series of fact sheets on a wide variety of fire safety topics.
Why igot2kno?
Campuses across the nation are having their budgets cut more and more. Since igot2kno was developed with grant funds, it is available for you to use for free in reaching out to the students across your campus. Also, since it is entirely web-based, it is in a format that the students are very familiar with. This is campus fire safety training “in a box” that is ready for you to use immediately!
How can I use igot2kno on my campus?
If you want to use igot2kno on your campus, when students open an account, they pick out the name of their school. As an administrator, you can receive regular reports on how many students are going through the program and how they are doing.
As each student goes through the games and videos they will then be directed to take a short test. They will get immediate feedback on the answers and if they gave an incorrect response, the correct answer will be provided. Once they complete the test they will have the option to print out a certificate of completion with the score on it.
All you have to do is promote www.igot2kno.org on your campus, let your students know about this fire safety training program.
Will there be any promotional and support material?
Yes, you can download banner ads from the igot2kno web site to use in promoting it on your campus. In addition, the site will have a user’s guide and a help section for administrators.
Why would students even bother going to igot2kno to learn about fire safety?
Ok, let’s be honest…fire safety is not the first thing on a student’s mind. However, when we did a survey on student attitudes we found that once they realized they had a big gap in their knowledge, they wanted to know more. So, once you have created that awareness that fire safety is NOT just for little kids (stop, drop and roll and Sparky the Dog) and that they are now responsible for smoke alarms, knowing two ways out, how to cook safely and all of those other things that mom and dad used to do for them, they are going to want to have a place to go for more information.
On top it that…we are offering prizes. Very cool prizes.
For every game (and there are three) that the student goes through, he or she is entered into a sweepstakes for iPods, pizza certificates, flameless candles and smoke alarms. If they complete all three and watch a video, they are then entered into the grand prize drawing of an iPad. And all you have to do is promote it on your campus!
Is igot2kno all that I need for campus fire safety training?
No, it is not! igot2kno is another tool in your toolbox. Effective fire safety training involves a variety of approaches throughout the year. Hands-on fire extinguisher training, ads in student newspapers, live demonstration burns, contests, posters in the residence halls, student testimonials – these are all effective methods that can be used in conjunction with igot2kno.
How was igot2kno Version 2.0 developed?
We assembled a team of subject matter experts from across the nation and “picked their brains” on what were the issues most needing attention on campus and those that were lacking information or resources. We also did a survey of campus and community fire officials and asked the same question with the result of Cooking, Egress and Alcohol and Fire Safety as being the priorities.
A multi-media firm, Creative Street, was retained to build out the web site, create the games and the videos. There were a series of video shoots in Indiana and North Carolina to create the short video clips that make up a big part of this project. Interactive games were developed to draw in the students and to teach them fire safety messages at the same time. The content on the web site was reviewed by the team of subject matter experts and, wherever possible, existing sources of information or resources that had already been vetted were used. Usability testing was done by groups of students and fire officials to evaluate the functionality and applicability of the material.
When is all this happening?
Igot2kno v2.0 will be launched on August 18 and available for anyone to use. The sweepstakes will run from September 6 to September 19.
Google News Feed - a feed of stories related to campus fire safety (not perfect - some non-related material pops up!)
Our 2009 trip...A day on Capitol Hill as seen through the eyes of the students, parents, fire officials and advocates...
The launch of National Campus Fire Safety Month took place on September 17 in Washington, DC. Scroll down for photos and videos from this great day!
