Fire and rescue services across the UK play an increasingly important role working with young people to improve community fire safety and help reduce fire crime and anti-social behaviour. The event on Wednesday (25 June) will be a unique opportunity to discuss how this work can be developed in the future.
Cllr Brian Coleman, AM, FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said: “Mayor Boris Johnson is keen to focus on disaffected young people and engage with them to deliver real and positive change.
“London Fire Brigade runs a number of highly successful youth engagement schemes, including the flagship Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme. These 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.”
The 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: “Fire and Rescue Services across the country are doing exciting work engaging with vulnerable young people. This seminar is a chance to learn from the success stories and think creatively about taking forward the aims of our National Strategy for reducing arson and protecting young lives.
“London Fire Brigade 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.”
A report outlining the seminar’s findings and recommendations will be sent to the Department of Communities and Local Government.
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Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
