The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is aimed at young people between the ages of 13 and 17. Many of those taking part in the scheme have offended, are at risk of offending or may have been victims of crime.
They carry out a number of fire brigade related activities, including the use of ladders, breathing apparatus, casualty rescue techniques, hose line practice and problem solving tasks – all of which are designed to improve motivation, confidence and team building skills.
The Brigade’s first LIFE programme was established in Tower Hamlets in 2002 and proved so successful that there are now nine LIFE Teams across the capital, taking referrals from agencies and working with young people from most London boroughs.
Since it started, over 600 young people have completed LIFE courses in Brent and one of the scheme’s first participants has now gone on to become a serving firefighter.
Brent Borough Commander Sean Bennett said: “Having the 50th group of young people complete a LIFE course in Brent will be a significant achievement for the London Fire Brigade, the local community and of course for the young people themselves. This is a great milestone and testament to the success of the scheme.
“The LIFE programme has repeatedly shown that it has had a positive effect, not only on those taking part, but also on the communities that the Brigade serves. It gives young people an increased awareness of what the fire service does, a real sense of achievement and helps to develop their self esteem. This then makes available a wide range of opportunities for these young people in the wider community.”
A recent development in the scheme is the inclusion of a pilot Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Award in The Fire and Rescue Services in the Community. Once established, this will offer young people the chance to leave a LIFE course with a credible qualification that will increase their opportunities in education, training and employment, as well as developing the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for participation in the community as active, responsible citizens.
Note to editors:
•Following its success in the capital, London Fire Brigade staff have worked with other fire and rescue services to set up the scheme in Northern Ireland, Hampshire, East Sussex, North Yorkshire and Hertfordshire.
•Brigade staff have also travelled to New Zealand to advise the New Zealand Fire Service on setting up a similar scheme there.
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
