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•There was a lot of community concern with regards to the dangerous driving behaviour of young people around Lozells, especially around the smaller roads, where drivers showed little or no regards for young children, families, pedestrians and local residents using the roads on a daily basis

•This coupled with the fact that there were persistent problems, where young people where setting alight empty buildings and street bins.

•As well as young people making hoax/nuisance calls to the Fire Service and calling them out to unsuspecting members of the communities houses, all of which are an obvious waste of the Fire Services time and resources.

The main objective was to enable the young people to experience, first hand, the importance of the work that the Fire Service do, to service their communities.

The Fire Service course is designed to give young people and prospective Fire Fighters the opportunity to gain an insight into the training, dedication, and hard work required to become a Fire Fighter.

As well as

• To develop self confidence and self esteem

• To promote the importance of working as part of a team

• To develop an appreciation of the important role of the Fire Service, and to develop an understanding of our own roles in society.

The training consisted of a week long course, whereby the young people were expected to attend on a daily basis, during their half term holidays. Their day started at 08.45 and ended at 17.00.

The day was made up of a morning session which consisted of theoretical based work, which included looking at aspects such as:

• Fire safety

• The causes of fire

• The dangers of fire

• Health and safety

• Hazard Perception

• Dangers of reckless driving

• Importance of driving safely, to name but a few……

Then the afternoon session consisted of practical hands on work, which included…

• Fire drills

•Operating the fire engine pumps

• Tackling fires

• Sweeping buildings to ensure non occupancy in the event of a fire

• Safe handling and use of the hoses

• The correct and safe use of ladders

• Correct procedures for controlling fires

• Role plays- rescuing dummies caught in burning buildings

At the end of the course the young people performed a presentation, whereby they were given the opportunity to showcase their new found skills and abilities in front of a crowd of people including friends, family, general public and the Fire Service hierarchy.

The presentation ceremony was followed by an awards ceremony where the young people were called onto the stage to be given certificates, to recognise their achievements and receive the well earned adulation of friends, family and the Fire Service.

•Following on from our successful partnership work with the Fire Service, we have been inundated with requests and interests from young people throughout Lozells.

•As a result of this interest we have had a group of young people who have been referred to the Y.I.P from external agencies, such as the Youth Offending Teams, Police, Social Services etc… who are now actively seeking employment within the Fire Service, and with the help of the Fire Service Staff have submitted their application forms to join the Fire Service.

•Due to the overwhelming interest surrounding this course and the Fire Service, coupled with the low levels of employment within the area, the Fire Service are planning a major recruitment drive within the Lozells area in the near future.