Firefighter helps kids to 'BSafe BCool'

Date published: 17 October 2011

A Whitefield firefighter is visiting high schools across Bury as part of this year's 'BSafe BCool' initiative to tackle anti social behaviour, such as deliberate fires, hoax calls and attacks on firefighters.

Firefighter Alan Firth from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) will be visiting 11 Bury schools, including Tottington, Elton and St Monicas, during the two-week event - when he will talk to the pupils about a variety of safety topics and help them learn how to 'BSafe BCool'.

The initiative aims to steer youngsters away from daily dangers and encourage them to act responsibly in the community. Since it was kick-started by the fire service in 2007, Bury has seen anti social related incidents decrease - with a staggering 52% drop from October 2009 to October 2010.

Targeted at year nine pupils in schools across Bury, the Bsafe, Bcool project aims to encourage them to act responsibly in the community through a series of day-long interactive workshops.

During the scheme, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and Bury Council are providing important information and striking up a rapport with young people across the borough.

Bury College performing arts students are giving a performance in each school for the first hour, which will form part of their exam coursework.

All high schools in Bury are taking part in the 15-day event, which began on Friday 7 October and is funded through the Safer School Partnership.

Chief Superintendent Jon Rush of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury Division said: “These events are designed to help young people become more informed about the consequences of their actions and the choices they face in life and, hopefully, enable them to make the right ones.

“It also allows pupils from schools across Bury to interact and get involved in discussions around safety and personal responsibility and build relationships with their local neighbourhood police officers. I am sure they will take a lot away from it and will pass on what they have learned to their friends.”

Kershaw Centre Youth Work Manager, Bev Meadowcroft said: “Bsafe Bcool is a great opportunity for a range of services to spread important messages to the young people of Bury. It has the potential to make a positive impact on how they see themselves, how they see others and the choices that they make in the transition to adulthood.'

Pete Riley, GMFRS Borough Manager for Bury said: "We aim this initiative at young teenagers because we know they are at a very vulnerable age as they start to make the transition into adulthood. We really do want to make a difference to their lives.

"It's a privilege to work with our partners in Bury to reduce some of the life risks that our younger generation are exposed to."

This year's initiative started on Friday, October 7 at Radcliffe High School and will end on Friday, October 21 at Parrenthorn.

Schedule of high school visits:
Friday, October 7 - Radcliffe
Monday, October 10 - Woodhey
Tuesday, October 11 - Philips
Wednesday, October 12 - The Derby
Thursday, October 13 - Prestwich
Friday, October 14 - Tottington
Monday, October 17 - Elton
Tuesday, October 18 - Broad Oak
Wednesday, October 19 - St Monicas
Thursday, October 20 - Castlebrook
Friday, October 21 - Parrenthorn