!!! All the Support Groups/Support Organisations and Burn Camps below (and the up-to-date ones) can be viewed at www.burnsupportgroupsdatabase.com (select 'Search Burn Organisations' or 'Burn Camps' from the left hand menu)

 

Burn/Fire Prevention and Burn Awareness School Program

What is the Dowzer Project?

The Dowzer Program teaches burn/fire prevention and burn awareness. They made the main character -Dowzer (R), a puppy as children understand how a puppy can be their special friend and give unconditional love. In the Adventures of Dowzer Story Book, Dowzer is born in a fire hall and initially dreams of being a fire fighter. He responds to a house fire before he is fully trained and after surviving a serious burn survivor dedicates himself to raising a force of children fire preventers.The 8 Case File also use exciting action stories with a Dowzer lesson follow up with the children characters to teach key burn prevention behaviours.

The key to the program is that Dowzer empowers children to make life saving decisions and take life saving actions. This wasn't easy to write as traditionally a lot of burn prevention consists of getting their parents to do something. Dowzer and several of the children in Case File 8 also demonstrate how burn survivors can be "cool" and leaders in society. Presently they are working on 2 more Case Files -Microwaves & Clothing, which they will probably put up for free on the Dowzer web site, and plan on having competitions etc. on the site to retain learning and interest. Eventually they would like to develop educational interactive games on the site and through relatives and friends of Dowzer also address other injury prevention issues.

Where is it being used?

In Canada, the Federal Government is responsible for First Nations schools on reservations. They have chosen the Dowzer Program as a major part of their burn/fire prevention program. Alberta Learning has approved the Dowzer Program as an optional part of the Alberta School Curriculum. The ABRS, St. John's Ambulance Society and YMCA all wish to present it to schools. St. John's and the YMCA also wish to use it in their baby sitting classes. BP Alaska & the Denali Safety Council are exploring ways to sponsor it in Alaskan Schools. They designed the Dowzer Program so burn societies could use it as a fund raiser and then sponsor it into schools and raise their society's profile and burn awareness. Following, is a summary of what Dowzer is all about and what it can do.

New approved learning resource - Jan. 2001 Alberta learning approved for health & lifeskills curricculum grades 2, 3, 4 Now available through the Alberta learning resources centre

The Dowzer Program

• An experiential learning system designed to combat a leading cause of death and suffering among North American children.
• Dowzer is a symbol of empowerment, courage, the need for education, and the wisdom that comes from experience.
• A series of fast paced, emotionally charged, and visually moving storybooks.
• Beautifully illustrated books in the captivating style of Alberta Artist "Fiona Yardley-Jones".
• Nine exciting adventures follow children who have faced fires and burns through dangerous, but ultimately positive experiences.
• The main storybook is recorded on CD and teaching cassette with sound effects to enhance the learning experience and provide an exciting entertainment experience.
• Each Case File Adventure Book is followed by a Case Report summarizing the pertinent details of each scenario, then Dowzer is called in. He helps children to take action.
• Characters contribute to the resolution of each scenario, learning how to deal with situations involving fire and burn hazards.
• Critically acclaimed Pediatric Fire & Burn Prevention Program.

• The program fulfills the outcome-based objectives for Health & Life Skills
• The program also supplements Language Learning, Social Studies, Science Math and Art & Drama.
• Minimal preparation time for teachers. Teaching Guide available. (Developed with experienced Dowzer teachers, who are available to correspond with new Dowzer teachers.)
• Recommended that each child in a class have their own package to work from.
• Order your 'Dowzer Programs' through the Alberta Learning Resources Centre: Website at www.learning.gov.ab.ca, and in the new Buyer's Guide that will be sent to your school in March 2001.
• Schools who order "Dowzer Programs" through the Alberta Learning Resources Centre are eligible to use their LRCA (Learning Resources Credit Allocation) which are grant monies accessible only through LRC.

A "DOWZER ADVENTURE PACKAGE" IS COMPRISED OF:

• 'The Adventures of Dowzer' Story Book (24 pages/full colour/high quality)
• Read-a-Long CD (with sound effects)
• 8 Case File Activity Books (full colour/high quality)
• Embossed Program Box (with Velcro enclosure)

COST:

The Dowzer Program retails in Canada for $45.00 plus shipping & handling.

THE 'DOWZER' WEB SITE:

The Dowzer web site is in the works. This site is an interactive site for children. Children can write letters to Dowzer, there will be literary contests, prevention games, continued fire and burn safety information, news articles, etc. There will be a section for teachers and parents, and more!

Together, Dowzer and his friends are sure to save lives and prevent needless suffering!

CONTACT:

Alanna Marie
The Dowzer Communications Group
1821 Tomlinson Crescent
Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2T2
Phone: (780) 433-3857
E-mail: kram@planet.eon.net www.dowzer.com

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