Operation phoenix comes to Maesteg
Operation Phoenix is the name given to the Safer Bridgend partnership initiative from South Wales Fire and Rescue service to reduce arson related behaviour across Bridgend and offers an opportunity for young people to learn about arson and the consequences of fire setting, hoax calls, fire safety in their homes and how it can affect them and their families.
Eight young people from across the borough spent all of last week working with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service at Maesteg Fire Station and experienced at first hand what it was like to be a fire fighter and understand how smoke travels, learn about breathing apparatus and fire fighting techniques, drills such as hose running and removal techniques from road traffic collisions, etc. They also learnt about the service’s values of teamwork, self respect, integrity and confidence.
An essential part of a fire fighter’s role is to save life and all of the boys received first aid training and a ‘Heart Start’ certificate, a qualification which will be valuable to them in later life.
Conway Hawkins, Safer Bridgend Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction Co-ordinator said “Operation Phoenix is a fantastic initiative which all of the boys thoroughly enjoyed, they learnt a great deal about the work of fire fighters and have new found respect for the role.
“In addition, they now have a greater awareness of the dangers of arson and consequences of committing crime and the effects of crime on the victims, communities, families, the environment and other people. We hope to be able to repeat this course in the future and I’d like to thank all the instructors from Maesteg fire station for their hard work.”