02 February 2007 - Fire Training Scheme Helps Young People see the Consequences of Anti-Social Behaviour
Today Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service released a report that concluded that its youth fire training scheme, Cooldown Crew, is having positive impact on the anti-social behaviour, skills and confidence levels of those young people who participate.
The Cooldown Crew began with a pilot in West Lothian in 2004 but has since expanded to Edinburgh , East Lothian , West Lothian and Midlothian . To date, 198 young people across all the mentioned Council areas have successfully graduated from the course.
Cooldown Crew is a youth fire-training scheme which provides a one-week programme for young people who may have been involved in anti-social behaviour, difficulties at school or who have low levels of motivation or self esteem.
The programme aims to:
- give young people some of the operational skills of fire-fighters
- develop young people’s personal life skills and enhance their sense of community and positive attitude
- address their anti-social and offending behaviour, where appropriate
- reduce malicious calls, fire-raising, attacks on fire-fighters and vandalism by the young people concerned
- promote fire and community safety.
Commissioned by West Lothian Council, the report states:
- a majority of those involved think that the programme led to an improvement in the young people’s behaviour
- a number of young people mentioned a positive change in their behaviour towards fire-raising
- a majority of the young people say they changed their activities and tried to stay out of trouble
- all participants would recommend the programme to their friends and would like to participate in it again
Ken Harrold, Convener of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board said: “It is exciting when we can engage with the community and young people in ways such as the Cooldown Crew. Providing role models for our young people is so important and this programme does exactly that while helping them understand some of the real consequences that could be caused by their anti-social behaviour.”
Notes to Editors:
- The Cooldown Crew is run in partnership with support from the Community Safety Partnerships, youth justice, education and cooperation with many other community organisations and schools.
Enquiries: Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
Tel. 0131 228 2401
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