Community initiatives

A Beat Sweep in Stockport

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

Education programme
Community fire safety officers are involved in delivering fire safety education to all key stage groups in schools across Stockport.  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.  Our staff also carry out Scout, Guide and Duke of Edinburgh Award training at fire stations in Stockport. The adult population are engaged through specific talks to local community groups, at local events and by campaigns involving radio, posters and leaflets.

Crucial Crew
Community Fire Safety staff are also involved in the running of the Crucial crew scheme, a multi-agency approach to safety in the home for children in Key Stage 2.  The event is held once each year and is organised and run in conjunction with the Police, Ambulance Service and other local organisations that provide a wide range of safety information.

Beat Sweep
Working with the Police, Council and other local agencies, we carry our Beat Sweep initiatives in targeted areas to reduce environmental crime, house fires and anti-social behaviour and clean up areas of litter and abandoned vehicles. We participate by offering residents in the targeted areas fire safety advice and the opportunity to have a free smoke alarms fitted in their homes.

Stockport Community Pride
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is working in partnership with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council on a campaign to encourage residents to take pride in their surroundings, working together to keep Stockport 'Looking Good!' Part of the campaign involves a drive against fly-posting, litter, illegal rubbish dumping, graffiti and abandoned cars. To read the latest campaign news visit www.stockport.gov.uk.

My Place – Citizens Award 2007
Stockport's extraordinary citizens have been recognised through a new borough-wide awards scheme. 'My Place in Stockport' was the first Council-led citizen award scheme in the borough, which recognised individuals, groups or teams that go out of their way to make Stockport a better place. The winners were celebrated at an event at Stockport Town Hall on 19th February 2008. To read more about the award winners visit www.myplacestockport.org/about.htm.  

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.

Stockport Multi Agency Accident Prevention Group
This group co-ordinates bonfire and firework safety campaigns, child accident reduction initiatives and DTI modernisation fund bids.  Some of this work has now been taken over by the Community Safety Unit, which ran 'Operation Guy Fawkes' a response to anti-social behaviour linked with fireworks, bonfires and accidents.

Care in the Community
Care in the Community is an initiative with Stockport Social Services to equip carers with the basic skills necessary to carry out fire risks assessments in the homes of elderly people.  £1,000 was donated to provide 10-year life smoke alarms at the start of the project.

Activities on stations
Fire stations work closely with local health impact groups.  Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the homes of vulnerable people.