In December, Essex County Council’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) announced its key initiatives launching in 2022. It also shared its pillars of work for 2022 and beyond, which included shaping the attitudes of future generations.
The first of these initiatives, a specially designed Firebreak course will launch in April. This course aims to engage directly with young people aged 13 to 17, to address public safety issues, in particular those that affect women and girls.
This initiative is a partnership between Essex County Council and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and will see groups of young people take part in a 5 day development course where they will learn fire safety but also explore healthy relationships and how, as young people, they can challenge inappropriate behaviour and role model positive behaviour.
Trained firefighter mentors will work with the young people to increase their personal development and transferrable skills through operational firefighting drills at the fire station.
The addition of behavioural and healthy relationships awareness will explore the consequences of low level behaviours which may lead to violence, misogyny and harm towards women and girls. The firefighter mentor will role model appropriate behaviours and engage the students in open discussions which explore the ripple effect of behaviour, its lasting impact and practical ways they can support safer communities for women and girls.
Following the course, the young people will have the opportunity to act as ambassadors to their peers and within their schools and communities. They will also achieve an AQA accredited qualification.
In the coming months further SAG initiatives will launch. You can find out more about the planned initiatives here.