This article critique of Elizabeth J. Zhe and Amanda B. Nickerson's Study, "Effects of an Intruder Crisis Drill on Children's Knowledge, Anxiety, and Perceptions of School Safety" (2007) includes a brief introduction of the article, a statement of the research problem, a description of research procedures, flaws in the procedural design, an Analysis of the data and limited and justifiable conclusions.
¶ … Fire Prevention Week from a Physical Educator's Perspective" by Richard D. Wetzel and Amrit Chima (2011)
The annual Fire Prevention Week observed in the United States represents a valuable opportunity for educators to highlight the need for remaining physical fit as well as the responsibilities that go hand in hand with being a citizen. Although offerings differ, many schools provide educational materials for use at home by students and their parents. For instance, the authors report, "Typically, conversations about fire prevention focus on safety measures and emergency procedures. Some teachers provide students with take-home worksheets on home safety or create assignments that include testing smoke alarms and planning emergency escape routes with their families" (Wetzel & Chima, 2011, p. 12). During school hours, though, the offerings are frequently much more exciting and engaging for young learners and provide opportunities for demonstrating the latest in firefighting technologies. In this regard, Wetzel and Chima add that, "At school, fire trucks and fire equipment are often displayed and children are allowed to explore them. There is also discussion about not being afraid of a firefighter dressed in protective clothing, equipment, and a breathing mask" (p. 12).
These types of offerings help make fire prevention awareness campaigns such as Fire Prevention Week more effective by making them exciting and relevant for young learners, but they also provide a corresponding benefit of helping raise awareness concerning the need for a physically fit lifestyle and the rigors that are involved in pursuing a career in firefighting. For instance, with respect to civics instruction, Fire Prevention Week provides educators with a number of opportunities to provide young learners with current information about what it takes to become a first responder in the 21st century, including the physical fitness requirements and the choices that make up a healthy lifestyle. According to Wetzel and Chima, "By extending the focus of fire prevention to the physical education curriculum, students have an opportunity to deepen their awareness of important health and fitness concepts" (p. 13). Based on the foregoing, the authors provide a number of recommendations and use examples of K-12 fire technology-related programs that can be used to promote awareness and readiness in the 21st century classroom, issues that relate to the problem considered by these researchers which is discussed further below.
Statement of the Research Problem
Because resources are by definition scarce, Wetzel and Chima emphasize the need for educators in general and physical fitness educators in particular to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Fire Prevention Week to promote fire prevention awareness and physical fitness in K-12 schools.
Description of Research Procedures
The research procedures used by Wetzel and Chima were informal and were based primarily on their empirical observations and professional experiences, together with a Google search for relevant exercises and programs that can be included in schools' Fire Prevention Week offerings at home and at school.
Flaws in the Procedural Design
Although the research procedures used by Wetzel and Chima were informal, the researchers took care to explain how they conducted their research and what search terms were used to identify resources of interest so that others could replicate them and apply the results to their unique settings.
Analysis of the Data
To their credit, these researchers present several examples of how Fire Prevention Week can be used to promote fire prevention awareness and the need for a state of readiness through the maintenance of good physical fitness. For example, Wetzel and Chima recommend conducting a modified Firefighter's Combat Challenge that can provide a number of valuable outcomes. For instance, these educators report that, "Holding a modified Firefighter's Combat Challenge in your K-12 physical education class can add relevance to Fire Prevention Week activities and reinforce the importance maintaining a good fitness level" (p. 13). In addition, Fire Prevention Week offerings can be used to promote student awareness concerning career opportunities in firefighting as well as what types of skills and training are needed (Wetzel & Chima, 2011).
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