Government Funding Announced- 24/01/2006

Government Announces Funding Programme for Fire and Rescue Services
The Government has recently announced that it is allocating £11.4million in funding over the next two years for Community Fire Safety. The funding will support Fire and Rescue Service’s in their aim of reducing Fire Deaths.

This new grant means that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will receive £38,697 for 2006-2007 and the same amount in 2007-2008, which totals £77,395 over the two years. This is a decrease of some £100,000 in the amount we currently receive from central Government to support the Authority’s Community  Safety and Arson Prevention activities.
Corporate Service Director Ian Young commented ‘ This is a disappointing outcome for this Authority, but it bears no relation to the level of the Authority’s work in these areas, which will continue. The reduction in grant will need to be made up through savings or through the Council Tax, since the Authority is committed to reducing the number of deaths and injuries from fire and other emergencies through its prevention activities’.
                                                             
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service undertake many initiatives that will be supported by this grant, including:

Child Fire Setter Network- This is an education programme which address children and young people (aged between 3- 18 years old) who play with/set Fire. The programme is run by 20 volunteers from the Service

Young Fire-Fighters Scheme – Involves approximately 12 young people spending 1 evening a week on the Fire Station, learning basic fire-fighting skills and carrying out team work activities

LIFE (Local Intervention Fire Education) Project – Is a week long course run for 12-18 years, which addresses anti-social behaviour. The young people from various parts of the County are taught basic fire-fighting skills, first aid, and team work. The finale is a passing out ceremony attended by Senior Officers, parents and members of partnership agencies.
We also carry out other Community Safety Initiatives such as Home Fire Risk Assessments and the fitting of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

For more information on Fire Safety Issues, including the fitting of smoke alarms, please contact the NYFRS Community Safety Hotline on 01609 788545