What is The Phoenix Project?

The Phoenix Project is a Fire and Rescue initiative aimed at young people between the ages of 11- 25. The aim of the project is to address issues within young people ranging from low self esteem and lack of confidence to anti social behaviour and /or fire related problems such as deliberate fire setting and hoax calls.

It challenges existing attitudes and promotes independent thinking in young people by using fire service activities to develop personal attributes such as working as a team, exploring physical and mental limits and promoting and educating young people about the role of the fire and rescue service.

Who is it aimed at?

The course is aimed at young people with fire related issues such as hoax calls and arson, or for those with anti social or offending behavior.

What are the course objectives?

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are committed to making our communities the safest places to live work and visit, to achieve this we have developed a multi faceted approach to engage with our communities.

This project is part of that approach and seeks to educate and inform young people about the hazards associated with fire and the wider issues surrounding community safety. 

By exploring and challenging their own personal limitations through the activities they undertake throughout the week, young people learn to improve their social skills, think more independently and also think about others around them. This process often reveals hidden qualities that perhaps before have never had the opportunity to be brought to the surface. It can uncover confident leaders, considerate individuals, sharp minds and articulate thinkers.

Firefighters as Role Models

It is generally accepted that Fire fighters are positive role models because of the nature of the job they do. The role of the Firefighter is generally regarded by young people as interesting and young people are more responsive and cooperative when working with such people and sometimes seek to emulate them or at least some of their qualities

Making communities safer

By spending time in the company of firefighters, young people who attend the course not only learn about fire safety but acquire safety skills that could be useful in everyday life such as first aid and manual handling. They also appreciate the consequences of anti social behavior such as arson, attacks on fire-fighters, hoax calls and the wider effect these incidents have on the community.

Outcomes

There are three benefit areas for young people attending

For the Fire and Rescue Service:

• Reduction in deliberate fires and arson
• Reduction in fire deaths and injuries
• Reduction in Hoax calls
• Reduction in attacks on Fire-fighters
• Strengthening partnerships with other organisations
• Increased fire safety awareness

To the community:

• Less incidences of anti social behavior
• Reduction in crime
• Safer and stronger communities

To the young person:

• Increased confidence and self esteem
• Improved interpersonal skills
• Safer individuals
• Vocational skills
• Increased sense of direction and self respect