Phoenix
The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
This means that the organisations involved with providing services to children - from hospitals and schools, to the police, fire service and voluntary groups - will be teaming up in new ways. Sharing information and working together, to protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people will have far more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively.
To meet these requirements Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has a strategy for Young People and Children designed to reduce fire risk and fire crime through education, and improve the opportunities for developing life skills by building on the core values of the fire service. Phoenix is an exciting opportunity for 15-17 year olds, to work with the Fire Service taking part in a variety of physical and mental challenges that help build self-esteem, develop leadership, improve communication skills and increase motivation as a stepping stone to future success.
Phoenix is a six month programme and students are selected to attend an intensive 5 day course at a suitable venue in terms of location and facilities. This initial course is designed to provide us with a profile of the student enabling us to identify areas of development and agree the way forward with them.
Upon successful completion of this these students, dependant upon their further performance, will be invited back to participate in a number of activity days. These are currently set at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks after the initial course. Ideally, a 'performance meeting' will take place at 3 week intervals between the activity days providing an opportunity for instructors and students to re-visit the learning outcomes in the initial course. Where possible, a member from the appropriate referral agency will be present to reinforce the links between the Phoenix syllabus and their every day environment.
The activity days again enforce the learning outcomes from the initial course and structured reviews. These are based around activities designed to support and promote students understanding of how to apply learning outcomes.
The activities are physically and mentally demanding and students will be expected to take part in all exercises. They include squad drills, hose running, use of breathing apparatus as well as road traffic drills and team building exercises. Uniform and other safety wear will be provided for these activities. At the end of the 5 day course, there is a Passing Out ceremony to which family and friends are invited to attend to view a demonstration from students displaying thier newly acquired skills.
Phoenix students should dress in a tracksuit or other older clothing that is loose fitting and comfortable. Trainers or similar shoes should be worn every day. Please note that no jewellery can be worn during the course for safety reasons and that mobile phones should be left at home. For urgent calls a telephone will be provided. Phoenix is a non-smoking course and no smoking will be permitted during the hours of 9am to 3pm each day.
We will not be responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any personal belongings during the course and subsequent activities.
Young people can be referred by any person and/or organisation that feels they would benefit from the experience. We provide all logistical support, venues, equipment, catering and transport for the duration of our work with them. 
Each student has a personal record file which follows their progress throughout the 6 months clearly identifying areas in which they can improve. The complete cost for a 6 month programme is £750.00 per person or a complete course cost of £7,500 for 12 places. This funding can be found from a number of partner agencies including Youth Offending Team's, Schools, Crime Reduction Partnerships, Anti Social Behaviour Units and local community groups. We can improve the minds and attitudes of young people helping them to understand the importance of attending school and reducing anti social behaviour within local communities. The fire service does heavily subsidise the cost of Phoenix and in the year 2007-2008 will have allocated in the region of £50,000 towards the running costs.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Youth Services team on 01392 872 200 or email phoenix@dsfire.gov.uk.
