London’s Fire Brigade and the Department of Communities will tomorrow hold the first national seminar on youth engagement work within the fire and rescue service as the Brigade seeks to contribute to the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Organisers say the Wednesday’s (25 June) event will be a unique opportunity to discuss how the UK’s fire and safety services can develop existing efforts in the future.
Cllr Brian Coleman, AM, FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said the Brigade’s youth engagement schemes, including the Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme, “have been proven to reach out to the young people in our communities and improve motivation and confidence.”
“Most significantly they have also resulted in the capital now having one of the lowest rates of attacks on firefighters in the country.”
Wednesday’s event will be opened by Councillor Coleman and speakers will include Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda, London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson, the Government’s Chief Fire Advisor Sir Ken Knight and representatives from the Princes Trust, the Youth Justice Board, the Department of Children, Schools and Families and the National Youth Agency.
Fire Minister Parmjit Dhanda said the London Fire Brigade’s initiatives “have put thousands of youngsters on the right track through a number of skills and confidence-boosting initiatives and I’m delighted they’re hosting this valuable event.”
