Hail the tender firefighters of Northwood Watch

Pupils from a Kirkby school graduated their Beacon course with a slick demonstration of how to work as a team and save a person from a burning building.

Parents, carers, and families watched in amazement as children from the Northwood Primary School displayed drill duties, CPR, first aid and how to ensure a premises was safe for the fire service to facilitate a safe entry.

And whilst one intrepid trainee braved real broken bones to complete a perfect emergency call another performed the entire rescue – in pink trainers!

Taught in a six-week tranche, Beacon sees Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service imbue children with the ability to perform basic fire duties, including operating the all-important hose. Activities include escaping from a tunnelled maze, called the Rat Run.

“It is really important to engage with young people like this and help them develop respect for the emergency services and everyone else in the community.”

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Mark Thomas

“The programme aims to make the children’s experiences as fun and enriching as possible, in an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable whilst focusing on prevention and early development.

Staff are trained to use a holistic approach, and a therapeutic environment is provided, supporting children to develop healthy relationships which in turn improves their personal, social, and educational development.”

Marie Morgan, Fire Service Lead at the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP)

The Beacon programme was funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership. Head of the unit Detective Superintendent Siobhan Gainer told the graduates: “I bet you can teach your parents some things, now! Beacon is so good because you learn communications, listening skills, resilience, and confidence. You will be able to take all these fantastic things into your lives and together, we will make Merseyside a happier, safer place.”