Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 27/10/2

A brand new national strategy which makes combating anti social behaviour and reducing the fire risk faced by vulnerable youngsters a mainstream Fire and Rescue Service activity for the first time has been launched.

The new Children and Young People strategy puts existing work by the Fire and Rescue Service on a more formal footing and provides a framework for:
• Engaging actively with children and young people and their families.
• Preventing and reducing crime and fire-setting by children and young people.
• Diverting children and young people from fire crime and associated antisocial behaviour.
• Educating children and young people and their families in fire safety skills and responsible citizenship.
• Ensuring that staff working with children and young people are effective and professional.
• Identifying and disseminating good practice in working with children and young people.

Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden said: “Cornwall County Fire Brigade has been working with young people for a number of years. We run a variety of youth intervention programmes that are managed by fully trained officers and professionals”
These include:
Fire Safety Education – Community Fire Safety Advisors visit all primary schools in Cornwall delivering information and advice to children on the dangers of fire. Recently this has been expanded to include Key Stage 3 and 4. An arson court room drama allows pupils to think about arson and its consequences.

The Phoenix Project - A week long course in which students take part in activities aimed at improving self-esteem, self discipline and responsibility. This is achieved by employing fundamental fire service principles of Communication, Teamwork and Discipline.

Young Parent Courses – A one day course run in partnership with SureStart. The principal aim of the course is to utilise the skills, experience and reputation of the fire brigade for the benefit of young parents and their children.

Fire Awareness Child Education – An education programme for children who play with or have a curiosity of fire. Advisors provide an interventional education approach and aim to change children and young adult’s perspectives.

The Hotspot Programme – A countywide project based at the Dreadnought Centre it provides a range of support services for children and young people involved in fire related activities including hoax calls and arson.

Fire Cadets – Targeted at 11–16 year olds the cadets take part in many activities including fire service drills, first aid and fire safety. The cadets can work towards a BTEC Intermediate Award in Basic firefighting skills.
Young Driver Education Programme – In partnership with the Road Safety Unit we deliver a series of classroom workshops designed to appeal to the next generation of drivers. The workshops are activity based and include videos, worksheets and role play.

Flaming Sports Challenges – Firefighters and police officers have organised three pilot ‘flaming sports challenges’ in Hayle. These events are designed to encourage healthier life styles with young people, break down the barriers between young people and the emergency services, create and sustain a positive relationship between young people and the emergency services, encourage young people to become team players and work with people of all abilities and encourage a sense of community spirit.

“This new policy supports what Cornwall is already trying to achieve. By engaging with young people through these projects we can hopefully increase their fire safety awareness, raise self esteem and confidence and reduce anti-social behaviour and fire crime” said Councillor Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection.