Comprehensive fire-safety training for adult mentally retarded persons

Proficiency in emergency fire-safety skills is important for developmentally disabled persons, especially if they are to live independently in the community. In this study, nine mentally retarded adults were taught functional repertoires for (a) exiting a burning building, (b) reporting a fire to the proper authorities and (c) extinguishing a fire on one's self or another person using the 'stop, drop and roll' technique. In a two-part study, five residents from one group home were taught these behaviours by skilled trainers using a training package consisting of instructions, modelling rehearsal, feedback, and social and descriptive reinforcement. In the second part, two residents from another group home were taught by the trainers, and an additional two subjects were taught by a staff member of the group home using the same training procedures. The results showed that developmentally disabled adults can be trained in emergency fire-safety skills by both skilled trainers and by direct-care staff.