Local Intervention Fire Education (L.I.F.E)

Background

The scheme is known by its shorthand title "LIFE" and offers to young people from the ages of 12 to 19 the chance to work with real Firefighters over a period of 5 days following a set programme of activities. This initiative delivered by the fire service is to address fire safety and anti-social behaviour issues in relation to young people and the local communities they live in.

The project has been running in London for some years now and has produced some very impressive results:

95% attendance rate on the course
90% non-offending rate 6 months after attending the course
46% reduction in non-accidental fires across the borough
76% reduction in attacks on firefighters

Feedback from local Firefighters, schools, alternatives to education projects, youth groups, community organisations and Youth Offending Teams have shown huge improvements in local relationships.

Aims

The aim of the project is to highlight the consequences of anti-social behaviour and provide an intensive work experience course within a structured uniformed team, instilling discipline, team spirit, fire safety awareness, life skills and values which will improve the life chances of the young people we work with.

Each course is intended to address the problems of young people, particularly those who have offended, are at risk of offending or have been victims of crime. We also wish to address the causes of anti-social behaviour and to prevent young people from becoming persistent offenders by providing an intense work experience within a tightly structured and focused team environment.

The course is specifically designed to change the attitude and behaviour of the young people by getting them to:

Adopt a new set of values.
Address the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
Work co-operatively with others.
See the advantages of improving their own learning and performance.
Gain self esteem and self confidence.
Communicate better.
Achieve self empowerment.

The fire service will provide this intensive work experience course within its disciplined uniformed team, addressing fire safety and anti-social behaviour issues.

LIFE Information Pack
For more information on what the course involves, who may refer young people, course costs and evaluation, click on the 'LIFE Information Pack' link

L.I.F.E Referral Form
To download a copy of the LIFE referral form, please click on this link

L.I.F.E Parent / Carer Consent Form
To download a copy of the parent / carer consent form, please click on the link