MF&RS 10 Year Movie

Summary

This script reflects a firefighter's journey from a reactive to a proactive approach in community safety. It highlights the evolution of the Fire Service from merely extinguishing fires to actively preventing them by engaging with communities, particularly the vulnerable, and collaborating with other agencies. The narrative underscores the importance of home safety checks, addressing social issues like smoking and alcohol use, and the impact of consistent engagement in schools and local organizations. The script concludes with the success of these efforts, as evidenced by reduced fire incidents and recognition through awards, emphasizing the Fire Service's integral role in community health and safety.

Takeaways

• 🚒 The script reflects a shift in the fire service from a reactive approach to fires to a proactive one, focusing on prevention.
• 🎖️ The speaker started in an era where being posted to a busy station was seen as a congratulatory event, highlighting the high volume of fires.
• 🔥 There was a significant loss of life and property due to fires in Merseyside during the 80s and 90s, with 200 deaths and many more injuries.
• 🛠️ The fire service recognized the need for a radical change, moving from merely extinguishing fires to actively working to prevent them.
• 👥 Firefighters began engaging with communities, wearing full uniform, to communicate fire safety and connect with the public.
• 🏘️ The most vulnerable members of the community were identified as those most likely to be missed in fire safety efforts and were at the highest risk.
• 🤝 Collaboration with other agencies was crucial to address the needs of the vulnerable and to prevent fires before they occurred.
• 👴 The goal was to increase safety for the elderly, making them aware of fire risks and the safety measures they could implement.
• 🛠️ Small, practical solutions, such as repairing stiff door handles or installing smoke alarms, were implemented to improve safety.
• 🚑 Firefighters and advocates worked together to address the root causes of house fires, such as smoking and alcohol use, and to reduce risks.
• 📉 Initiatives to reduce hoax calls and anti-social behavior were successful, resulting in a significant decrease in such incidents.
• 🏫 The importance of engaging with young people through schools and consistent communication was emphasized to instill respect for firefighters and fire safety.
• 🏆 The fire service received recognition for their efforts in reducing health inequalities, showing their impact on wider social issues.
• 🏠 A commitment to home safety checks for every home led to a significant reduction in fire deaths and injuries, proving the effectiveness of the proactive approach.
• 🤝 The success was attributed to the support of numerous partners and the dedication of the fire service staff.

Q & A

What was the traditional approach to firefighting as described in the script?

The traditional approach to firefighting was primarily focused on responding to and extinguishing fires rather than preventing them. Firefighters were congratulated for being assigned to busy stations, which indicated that the community was in trouble.

Why did the fire service decide to shift its focus from just putting out fires to preventing them?

The fire service realized that while they were doing an amazing job saving lives and property, the community continued to suffer. They concluded that it was necessary to focus on fire prevention to reduce the number of fires and associated casualties.

What role did community engagement play in the new approach to fire prevention?

Community engagement became a crucial part of the new approach, with firefighters going out into communities, talking to people in full uniform, and working to educate them on fire safety and prevention.

What challenge did firefighters face when trying to reach the most vulnerable people in the community?

Firefighters found that the most vulnerable people were often the hardest to reach. Reasons included difficulty hearing the doorbell, inability to get to the door, lack of a phone, and fear of opening the door.

How did the fire service address the challenge of reaching vulnerable community members?

The fire service collaborated with other agencies and brought in specialists who had the knowledge and skills to address the needs of vulnerable people. They focused on educating older people about fire safety and making necessary safety improvements in their homes.

What was the impact of the fire service's collaboration with other agencies on fire prevention?

The collaboration led to a more comprehensive approach to fire prevention, addressing underlying social issues such as smoking and alcohol use. This resulted in a reduced risk of accidental house fires and increased firefighter safety.

How did the fire service work to reduce hoax calls and attacks on fire crews?

The fire service worked closely with local media and the police to reduce hoax calls and bring perpetrators of attacks on fire crews to justice. Their efforts led to a significant reduction in hoax calls by approximately 47% over two years.

What change in perspective did the fire service undergo regarding their role in schools and youth engagement?

The fire service realized that to effectively engage with young people, they needed to maintain regular and consistent communication. They began to stay involved in schools and support or lead youth projects, rather than just delivering one-time presentations.

How did the establishment of fire stations in the heart of communities contribute to fire prevention?

By placing fire stations in the heart of communities, the fire service increased their accessibility and visibility, creating more opportunities for community members to engage with them and benefit from fire prevention initiatives.

What outcomes did the fire service achieve by focusing on prevention and community engagement?

The fire service achieved the lowest fire death and injury statistics on record, reduced health inequalities, visited 400,000 homes, protected more people, and became an integral part of the communities they served.