Really I found those jumpstarts are introducing concepts at a simple, age appropriate level. For example, the first aid skill was how to properly put on a band-aid (using a stuffed animal as the patient). Also they use things like relay races or crafts to teach what is in an emergency kit as opposed to actually lecturing about it or trying to create one.
I found that those jumpstarts are as fun and engaging for the kids as any other themed night. I think the difference between an emergency preparedness night and a night on outer space or pirates is the underlying message and teaching the activities are meant to convey; one is no less serious or deep than the other and, conversely, one is no less fun than the other when done right.
Regarding overlap, I agree with you that this is a good thing, not a negative. As with any subject, we start teaching the youngest very basic concepts and build on it as they get older. There is no subject I can think of that we only teach once to one age group and then never again; to do so would be a virtual guarantee that the subject isn't really learned at all.
Honestly, I'm just starting out, but I don't think we've ever run our program by the parents. That said, one approach might be to show that the
programming calendar for Beavers provided by Scouts Canada includes 2 weeks of emergency preparedness themed nights.
As I understand it most of these programming tools are fairly new so not everyone knows everything that is available; but I think our group is going to start relying more heavily on these types of programming rather than trying to do everything ourselves.
As a side note, these emergency preparedness programs are different than a Hug-a-Tree program; we actually have someone coming in to present this to the kids next week.