'Damage Done...... it doesn't just happen'

Safer South Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Avon Fire & Rescue Service and South Gloucestershire Council have worked in partnership to produce a DVD called ‘Damage Done… it doesn’t just happen’.
The interactive resource is the first of its kind in the country and includes a downloadable teaching package for schools across South Gloucestershire. It tackles issues of criminal damage such as arson, vandalism, graffiti and the possible consequences of these actions.

Pupils at a local secondary school were shown a test screening of the DVD and their feedback was incorporated into the final cut. A group of students then attended the launch screening. 

Safer South Gloucestershire commissioned the DVD as part of its work in tackling criminal damage, which focuses on early intervention and educating young people.

Targeted at students in years 7 to 10 (11 – 15 year olds), the project aims to raise awareness on the common problems associated with criminal damage, and ties in with Key Stage 3-4 of the Citizenship programme and aspects of the PSHE programme.

Sarah Jones, Teaching and Learning Adviser at South Gloucestershire Council, added: “We developed this teaching package to highlight the unseen damaging effects that vandalism and anti-social behaviour can have on people’s lives, and to get young people to really think about the consequences of their attitudes and actions.”

School Visits
 
Operational firefighters from the four fire stations in South Gloucestershire have visited 137 year 4/5 classroom groups, where we delivered our ‘SPARKS’ educational package, which provides young students with fire safety information related to keeping themselves and their families safe from fire.
 
Each young student receives practical advice on: 

• The consequences of making a hoax call
• The consequences of starting fires (Arson)
• What to do if their clothes catch fire (Stop, Drop and Roll)
• How to make a 999 call
• How to test a smoke alarm
• How to plan a fire escape plan, and what to do if the are trapped in a burning house

Each student is awarded a certificate, once they have carried out and completed a fire risk assessment of the family home. 

'Consequences Event'

Thornbury Youth Centre played host to the Emergency Services for an evening of information and advice. In attendance was an appliance and crew from Thornbury, and members of the Yate CFS (Commercial Fire Safety) team as well as Local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) and Safer South Glos Anti Social Behaviour officer. The aim was not to lecture young people, but show them the consequences of anti social behaviour as well as giving them knowledge to keep them safe. 

Youth club members aged 12 -16 were shown DVD's on Road Safety as well as the implications of Arson and hoax calls. The young people sat in silence as they heard presentations from FF's Steve Harding and Eddy Harris. Eddy recounted the story of Keith, a four year old boy who lost his gran and sister in a fire in a caravan, because the closest fire appliance was dealing with a bin fire started deliberately. From Steve they heard "Sarah's Call", the taped last words of a 16 year old girl, calling 999 and speaking to Fire Control whilst trapped in a burning house. The Fire Service were delayed by a hoax call and Sarah died of smoke inhalation. Vicki Waldron ASB Coordinator, (Early Interventions Officer), related to issues on anti social behaviour around Halloween and the dangers of playing with fireworks, with young people being shown pictures and listening to stories of children with burns.

For further information contact Gail Taylor - Avon Fire & Rescue at gail.taylor@avonfire.gov.uk