Nova Scotia's 9-1-1 School Kits a Hit in Ontario

The Brant County Health Unit in Ontario is using a Nova Scotia-designed student/teacher kit to promote the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency phone system.

A public health nurse in the unit found the resource on the Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office website at www.gov.ns.ca/emo , and called to get permission to include the material in kits being prepared for teachers and day-care providers.

"We are more than happy to share this material," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Emergency Management. "Schools across Nova Scotia have used our activity pack for students in primary to grade three, and they're a big hit. Our youngsters see emergency personnel and vehicles in their communities, and the kits help them understand that they do have the knowledge and skills, even at an early age, to use 9-1-1 properly."

The resource material encourages students to involve their parents with take-home activities. The activity pack includes teaching ideas, a teacher's guide, activities and support materials, all related to using the 9-1-1 emergency service, which became available to all Nova Scotians in 1997. Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to offer the service provincewide.

Including 9-1-1 education in the classroom is an important step toward improving public safety for all Nova Scotians. The Emergency Measures Organization, in co-operation with the Department of Education, developed the activity pack to provide teachers the tools they need to show children how and when to get help in an emergency by dialing 9-1-1.