FIRESKILLS COURSE A SUCCESS, YET AGAIN

The most recent FireSkills programme at Coalville Fire and Rescue Station was funded by the Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership. It proved to be a huge success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who took part, both the children and the instructors.

FireSkills, a team-based programme for young people aged 12-17 years old, focuses mainly on practical firefighting drills, but also educates young people through sessions based around first aid and fire safety.

Operational firefighters play an integral part in the programme, running drill yard sessions and acting as positive role models to all young people taking part. Evaluation of the course has shown that it has a positive effect on young people’s self-esteem and confidence by helping to improve their communication skills.

The participants of the programme ended the course with a presentation ceremony where they got the chance to demonstrate the skills they had learnt and impress their families and friends.

Helene Sutliff, Children and Safeguarding at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We would like to thank the Community Safety Partnership of North West Leicestershire District Council for the funding which allowed us to put on this programme in Coalville.”

“The programme had 100% attendance and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved so we hope we can continue to receive support in order to allow us to hold this programme in this location and many more in the future.”

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, Chair of Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership, said: “This is a fantastic example of how we are working with partners like Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to engage with young people and provide them with exciting, inventive and educational programmes.

“Those that took part have had great fun but also built their self-esteem and learned key skills that will be valuable to them for the rest of their lives.

“We are delighted to see our funding allow such a worthy programme take place. Congratulations to all the children that completed the course and thank you to the fire service for delivering such an excellent programme during the week.”

If you want more information about the FireSkills programme, visit www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/kids-youth/fire-skills.

ENDS

Notes to editors
Photos from the FireSkills programme at Coalville are available at request via Corporate Communications using the details shown below.

About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.

The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.

During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 2292178
corporate.communications@lfrs.org

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