Community initiatives

Firefly

These are just some of the community initiatives that we are involved in…

Firestop
Undertake home fire risk assessments in targeted and defined areas utilising resources secured through Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council.

Education Programme
Community fire safety officers are involved in delivering fire safety education to all key stage groups in schools across Rochdale.  All fire stations have a comprehensive programme of primary school visits.  During their primary school years all children will receive fire safety education during years 2 and 5.  The adult population are engaged through specific talks to local community groups, at local events and by campaigns involving radio, posters and leaflets.

Learn Not to Burn
Operational crews are involved in The Learn Not to Burn Quiz, visiting local primary schools and teaching fire safety to children in year 5.  The classes provide teams who attend their local fire stations and take part in a knock out fire safety quiz, with the winners going on through various rounds to a grand final.

Car Fires
Car fires are a major problem in Rochdale.  New initiatives have been put in place to reduce their numbers, including a partnership with the local council to remove abandoned vehicles promptly.

Youth Inclusion Project
This is a multi-agency initiative aimed at engaging young people who are at risk of offending, causing anti-social behaviour, or are excluded or truant from school.  It is a very successful project with which we hope to develop stronger links.

Fire Safety Quiz
A fire safety quiz involving the local community was held at the local ASDA and Tesco stores.

Smoke Alarms
Work is being done to increase smoke alarm ownership in minority groups within the Borough

Activities on stations
Various events take place on stations including open days, community events, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme events, the Heywood Community Conference and Township Committees.

Local Authority Fire Liaison Officer
The Rochdale Borough has become the first Borough in Greater Manchester to second a Local Authority Fire Liaison Officer who works with other key partners and is based at Rochdale Town Hall. This role forms an essential conduit of information from a strategic perspective which fully informs and compliments the Borough fire service tactical and operational activity.

Firefly
The Rochdale Borough has a rolling programme of Firefly initiatives running throughout the year which are fully co-ordinated by a dynamic and successful Community Fire Safety Department.

Urdu greetings and diversity programme
The Rochdale Borough has completed a programme of basic Urdu Greetings and Diversity for all its personnel across the borough. The training was facilitated by Ghulam Rasul Shahzad who is the chairman of the local Excellence in Education for All Project, and is a very influential community leader.