Popular fire safety education programme marks its 20th anniversary

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) programme which has educated more than 80,000 children about fire safety is marking its 20th anniversary. Crucial Crew, which is a popular fire safety and prevention initiative for Year 6 schoolchildren, aims to deliver seven events around the county this academic year reaching around 6,000 students.

The service's Protection and Prevention Team has played a key role in empowering children and young people to help spread crucial safety messages over the last two decades, with their vital work earning an award nomination at the inaugural Flourish Awards later this month.

The free programme sees NFRS work alongside partners including Norfolk Constabulary, NHS, Road Safety, Norfolk Prepared, RNLI, East Anglia Air Ambulance, St Johns Ambulance, HM Coast Guard, and Cadent Gas.

The children experience and participate in a range of realistic situations presented in a secure environment to raise their awareness of what they can do to increase their own and others safety. They can then share the important information they have learned with family, friends and carers, as well as the wider community.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Cllr Margaret Dewsbury said: "Crucial Crew is vital in ensuring children in Norfolk are aware of the dangers associated with fire, as well as a range of other potentially problematic situations.

"I am delighted the great work undertaken by the Protection and Prevention Team has been recognised with Crucial Crew reaching the finals of the Flourish Awards."

The opening session of this academic year's Crucial Crew starts on Monday 18 September at The Nest, Horsford. For further details visit the Crucial Crew page on the Norfolk County Council website.

The Flourish Awards celebrate the people, projects and teams that help children and young people flourish in Norfolk. Read more about Flourish.

Journalists interested in attending a Crucial Crew event should contact firemedia@norfolk.gov.uk