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ANN ARBOR,
MI - An innovative new video that teaches about the dangers
of fire through the first-person stories of children and teens who
have suffered painful burn injuries has won a prestigious national
award for educational films.
Titled "In
an Instant…" for the time it takes for fire to change
a life forever, the 28-minute video has received a Golden Eagle
award from CINE, an organization that recognizes the best of non-theatrical
film. It was produced for the University of Michigan Trauma Burn
Center by Victor/Harder Productions, Inc.
Now, the video
is being made available to schools, hospitals, fire departments
and other groups nationwide, to help spread important preventive
messages.
"We hope
this recognition will help spread the word about this video and
the powerful lessons it contains," says Pamela Pucci, RN, B.S.N.,
the Injury Prevention Nurse Educator, who led the video's development
for the U-M Trauma Burn Center, part of the U-M Health System. "And,
we thank the Friends of the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers for
their generous funding that made this possible."
"We're
thrilled to have our work recognized in this way, but the award
truly belongs to the children and families who had the courage to
tell their stories and share their pain, so that others won't have
to endure what they've gone through," says executive producer
Fran Victor, who made "In an Instant…" with her partner,
cinematographer Bill Harder.
CINE names
Golden Eagle winners in 20 categories twice a year after a juried
competition. "In an Instant…" won in the non-broadcast
division. It was among 534 films evaluated by more than 275 judges.
The video illustrates
the medical dangers of fire and hot liquids through the real-life
experiences of children and teens who were burned after accidents
or carelessness with matches, gasoline, go-karts, hot water and
hot grease.
"In an
Instant…" follows them through their treatment, and lets
them tell viewers in their own words what they have gone through
physically and psychologically.
The children's
stories are interspersed with footage of the different stages of
burn treatment, and interviews with fire fighters who have risked
their lives in fires caused by accidents or arson, medical staff
who have cared for burn patients, and with Pucci and Paul Taheri,
M.D., M.B.A., director of the Trauma Burn Center. In addition to
showing the medical consequences of fire, the video also emphasizes
important prevention tips and cautionary messages.
"By giving
kids, teens and adults a glimpse of the excruciating treatment,
lifelong scarring, and risk of death that can begin literally in
an instant with the striking of a match or a careless spark, we
hope to drive home the message of the importance of caution and
prevention," says Taheri.
"We are
very proud of the partnership with the University of Michigan that
resulted in this award," says Col. Stephen D. Madden, Director
of the Michigan State Police-State Fire Marshal Division. "This
video will be an effective tool in our efforts to educate young
children concerning the consequences of fires and burns. We are
looking forward to using it in safety education programs around
the state."
The goal of
this video is to inform the community regarding fire prevention
by utilizing medical and field professionals. Its' mission is to
educate a large target audience who would not otherwise have access
to this information. The video, delivers a poignant message about
the medical repercussions of fire. Organizations from Texas to Pennsylvania
who have already obtained "In an Instant…" have found
it to be a vital educational documentary.
Says Rick Featherstone,
Fire Marshal of the Trenton, MI Fire Department; "The video
shows the viewer the consequences of burn trauma, not only from
a true physiological standpoint, but also the psychological perspective.
The video is excellent for learning what the burn victim has to
endure, and the time required for initial care, definitive care
and rehabilitation. I plan to use it when I teach in the area of
burns."
Pucci envisions
that "In an Instant…" could be shown at school assemblies,
fire department community events, Scout meetings, and other occasions.
She notes that hospitals and emergency responders can show it to
their own staff, to educate them about the important of rapidly
delivered, specialized burn care to increase the chances of survival
and good outcomes.
However, Pucci
emphasizes, "In an Instant…" is not a "scared
straight" video. Rather, she says, it's a powerful educational
tool that can open the eyes of children and teens to a side of fire
they have never seen: the potential pain and suffering that deliberate
or careless actions could cause.
"In an
Instant…" complements the U-M's Straight Talk program,
which has been proven to reduce repeat fire-setting among children
ages 8 to 17 who have experimented or set fires. Straight Talk brings
at-risk kids and their parents into a burn unit or hospital for
a day-long, first-hand look at what their actions could do to themselves
or to others.
The Bloomfield
Township Fire Department collaborated with the Trauma Burn Center
on a way for fire fighters to take an active role of teaching the
Straight Talk curriculum. Fire fighters throughout the state have
given support and volunteered their time since its inception. Participants
can be referred to the program by the juvenile court system, a local
fire department, school officials, or their parents.
"After
several years of development and evaluation at UMHS, Straight Talk
is now ready to be implemented across the nation," says Pucci.
"This program is now available for hospitals and fire departments
who want to instigate Straight Talk in their community."
Special notes
on this release
For information
on "In an Instant…" or the Straight Talk training
program, visit the Injury Prevention section of www.traumaburn.org
or call (734) 763-7757.
Written
by: Kara Gavin
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