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."
For information on "In an Instant…" or the implementation of the Straight Talk Program, visit the Injury Prevention section of www.traumaburn.org or call (734) 763-7757.