THE next generation of firefighters have had their first taste of life in the service and shown the dangers of illegal fireworks.

Young people from Blaenau Gwent have been walking in the boots of a fire fighter, as part of the South Wales Fire and Rescue crimes and consequences session.

The group gained an insight into the skills needed to become firefighters, and took part in a hard-hitting workshop to highlight the dangers of illegal fireworks and the impact that setting deliberate fires can have on communities and emergency services.

The session was supported by Positive Futures one of the many diversionary projects funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Community Fund, Blaenau Gwent Youth Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue, and is just one of the many activities that has taken place to highlight Op Bang.

Op Bang is a national initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of fireworks and fire safety in preparation for bonfire night on November 5. 

Throughout October, staff from Positive Futures and South Wales Fire and Rescue have been visiting local schools, parks, and community centres to engage with children and young people, and help them understand the dangers of bonfire night with the help of fun engaging activities.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert said: “Activities to support and educate children and young people of the dangers of fireworks and deliberate fires, and the impact if things go wrong, are so important.

"Providing opportunities such as this not only gives young people an alternative to hanging around the streets during the school holidays but also raises aspirations and promotes the work of our invaluable emergency services.”

Positive Futures is a social inclusion programme which largely uses sport as a tool to engage young people in positive activities.

For more information visit newportlive.co.uk/en/community-support/community-sport-and-wellbeing/our-projects-programmes-and-initiatives/positive-futures

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