Setting the standard in social cohesion: Cheshire Fire Service was recently shortlisted for Beacon Council Status for its work in social cohesion. FIRE was at brigade headquarters when assessors from the OPDM visited to find out about the wide range of initiatives Cheshire has undertaken with young people - Beacon Brigade

Given recent adverse publicity on the Fire Service it came as some surprise to hear of Cheshire Fire Service's nomination for Beacon Council Status in social cohesion. Surprising given the timing, not the content, because from the information FIRE has received over the last few years, Cheshire has been at the forefront of community safety initiatives, leading in areas such as Prince's Trust anti Fire Cadets, and being commended in the Thematic Review on community fire safety.

A substantial component of the application is sharing best practice and dissemination plans. There should be no problem on that point as the brigade has also just being nominated for Communications Team of the Year in the Local Government Chronicle magazine's award. Perhaps the biggest obstacle in gaining Beacon Council Status is timing, in that it may not be seen as beneficial to raise the status of a brigade during the current industrial dispute. Fortunately, the assessors' findings are published, so we hope this will not be a factor.

At the presentation CFO Steve McGuirk told the assessors that the nomination may appear "slightly quirky at the moment" and questioned why the fire brigade should be involved with social cohesion in the first place. He highlighted some of the civil disturbances of recent years, going back to Broadwater Farm, and pointing out that Firefighter Trevor Stratford was the one who dragged PC Keith Blakelot away from the scene after the savage, fatal beating he had received. Recently, he pointed to the Oldham riots when his brother-in-law, also a firefighter, had bottles thrown at him, and asked: "How many social workers have had petrol bombs thrown at them?"

Firefighters, he claimed, are as close to their communities as any public sector worker, and, he urged: "We need to think of different ways to positively influence the community." That is, he said, "naturally what we do. So yes we do understand the principles behind community cohesion, because we have been playing around with that for the last 30 years."

"Community cohesion has been done in bits in the past," he suggested, "but with no real cohesion. The new Service fits the new model. The underlying theme here is change in the Fire Service--previously seen as an insular system of command and control--which needs opening up. We're part of that process."

In his address Fire Authority Chair, Cllr John Joyce, proudly belied the misconception that the Fire Service is not at the heart of the community and, he asserted, is effective and efficient at that. "The Fire Service is looked upon as one of the best local authority run organisations," he said, "which has brought onboard people not normally associated with it."

Cllr Joyce said that many people in Cheshire had asked him if they still fight fires, given the range of activities they undertake. "The Fire Service is a lynch-pin--it can deliver where other agencies can not."

While recognising the difficult position of the trade union--who were represented at the event--Cllr Joyce praised firefighters for wanting to maintain cadet schemes through the difficult times.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The presentations covered the initiatives Cheshire has and is undertaking, most of which have been covered in FIRE over the last two years, and are too numerous to mention here (for more information, see contacts below). Leaders in each pursuit gave a flavour of the impact the schemes have had on individuals and whole sectors of the community:

PRINCE'S TRUST

The partnership started in Winsford 10 years ago. In 1994, 80 teams including over 600 young people provided the basis for the volunteers to achieve positive outcomes, whether through going on to further education or employment. Ten years on, 1,200 young people have been through the scheme with 15 twelve-week courses across Cheshire. In promulgating best practice at a conference in May 2001 in Chester, which 22 fire brigades attended, the Prince's Trust has grown from 10 delivery partners to 20, with 10 brigades now delivering programmes. Cheshire gained the Prince's Trust Excellence Award last year.

FIRE CADETS

There are 24 fire stations in Cheshire and the aim is to get a fire cadet unit in each one. Currently there are 11 units evenly spread over the county with 130 cadets aged 13-18 of both sexes. The scheme involves partnerships with police, local councils, social services, local businesses and an initial investment of around 3,500 [pounds sterling] to get going.

NEW WELEPHANT

Following extensive research, in which bullying, abductions and drugs were raised as the highest perceived threat for young people, the new Welephant is based on Respect. All material is based on one-and-a-half-hour sessions over 12 weeks aimed at Key Stage II, seven to 11 year olds. A recent AGM at Old Trafford enlisted a further 25 brigades.

A MODERN SERVICE

CFO McGuirk closed the presentation by emphasising the cradle to the grave approach adopted by the brigade, which has focussed in on young people. "There has been unnecessary bad press for the Fire Service: we need to put it back together again and move forward. Otherwise we could lose regard."

In concert with FIRE's opinion, he surmised: "Large elements of a modern Fire Service are already flourishing."

For more information on Cheshire Fire Service's youth initiatives visit: www.cheshirefire.co.uk; for information on Beacon Council Status visit: beacon@cheshirefire.co.uk

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