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The Phoenix Project
Information for school, agencies and partnerships.
S.R. Jones.-Phoenix Co-Ordinator
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Introduction
Reducing fire deaths and injuries in North Wales
is more than just providing an efficient
emergency response service. By adopting a
proactive approach and working with partnerships,
agencies and the community, North Wales Fire and
Rescue Service (NWFRS) can provide a better
service in helping to keep the people of North
Wales and its visitors safer. Furthermore, by
developing these links and working together in
partnership, other community issues such as anti
social behaviour, drug and alcohol problems and
road safety can be tackled more effectively.
Together we can support the more vulnerable
sectors of our communities such as the Elderly,
the excluded and in this case, the young people
of North Wales. NWFRS Community Safety and Youth
Intervention teams endeavour to engage with young
people across a wide spectrum ranging from
mainstream school education to those excluded
from school, with offending behaviour issues or
simply deemed at risk in some way. The Phoenix
Project is one such initiative aimed specifically
at young people who may benefit from intervention
outside of mainstream approaches. This document
is designed to give an outline of the Project to
allow those engaged in youth work to determine if
such a scheme may be a useful tool to either
support or enhance their own system of work as
well as addressing fire related issues for the
Fire Service.
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What is the Phoenix Project ?
The Phoenix Project is a Fire and Rescue
initiative aimed at young people between the ages
of 13-17.
The aim of the project is to address issues
within young people ranging from low self esteem
and lack of confidence to antisocial 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 about the role of the fire service.
Whats involved ?
Over 5 days, young people will engage in fire
service activities such as hose running drills,
fighting fires and search and rescue.
They will also learn useful every day skills such
as first aid, manual handling, risk management
and fire safety.
There are many opportunities for self exploration
such as coping under pressure as part of a team
and dealing with demanding tasks such as
abseiling from a building or entering a smoke
filled room.
Throughout the week young people are pushed in
every way to draw out the best within themselves,
all the time supported by a dedicated team,
specially trained to work safely with young
people.
By the end of the week, the young people will
have gained a unique insight into the role of the
fire service. They will also have gained skills
not only useful in every day life but also for
potential employment. All candidates can achieve
certificates in the following subjects

• First Aid
• Manual Handling
• Risk management

They also receive training in Fire Safety and
using fire extinguishers. The week culminates in
a fire fighting display and presentation of
certificates. Young people leave the course with
a new found sense of confidence, pride and self
worth.
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Who is it aimed at?
It is not just a course for young people with
fire related issues such as hoax calls and arson,
or just for those with anti social or offending
behaviour. The course is aimed at any young
person who might benefit from learning and
developing through an active and physically
orientated medium.

• Young people with the following issues can also
  benefit from attending a Phoenix course.
• Lack of confidence Low self esteem.
• Struggle to perform academically.
• Problems with communicating.
• In need of vocational direction.
• At risk of getting into trouble.
• Vulnerable to peer pressure.

What are the course objectives ?
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is committed
to working towards a safer community but this is
not limited to just tackling fire related issues.
The course seeks to educate and inform young
people about the dangers of fire but its remit is
much wider than that.
Apart from gaining a valuable insight into the
dangers and consequences of fire, young people
who attend the course also receive instruction on
a variety of hazards and dangers such as road
traffic collisions and how to manage an incident
safely. Dealing with hazards through risk
management and how to live and work safely are a
key part of a fire fighters daily routine. The
youngsters soon come to realise that these
factors are not just limited to a dangerous job
like fire fighting, but are prevalent in everyday
living.
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.
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Why the Fire Service?
Working with the Fire and Rescue Service has many
benefits for young people. Apart from gaining a
valuable insight into the role of a fire fighter
and what a career in the fire service might
entail, there are also many other advantages.
Fire fighters as role models. Many of us,
particularly when we are younger, have at some
time thought of being a fire fighter. It is
generally accepted that fire fighters are
positive role models because of the nature of the
job they do. 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.
An active occupation. Being a fire fighter is not
only physically challenging, but mentally
challenging as well. Personal qualities such as
being able to work with others, coping under
stress, managing your own safety, following
instructions and using your initiative are
prominent attributes employed on a regular basis
in a fire fighters role. Young people who attend
a course also begin to develop these desirable
attributes.
Making Safer communities. By spending time in the
company of fire fighters, 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 hoax calls and deliberate fire setting and the
wider effects this has on our communities.
Outcomes.
There are three benefit areas from young people
attending.

• To the Fire Service.
• Reduction in Hoax calls.
• Reduction in deliberate fires and Arson.
• Reduction in fire deaths and injuries.
• Strengthening links with other agencies.
• Increased fire safety awareness.

• To the community.
• Less incidences of anti social behaviour.
• Reduction in crime.
• Safer communities.
• 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.

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Successes

• 1 young lady commended twice by the
• mayor of Wrexham for her charity work.

• 1 student in the process of entering the RAF
  Fire Service.

• Another asked for her bail conditions to be
  changed so
• she could become involved with charity work.

• At least 8 students have gained apprenticeships.

• One has become the assistant manageress of a
  large store.

• 2 others have just completed an 8 week rock
  climbing
• course and are now Princes Trust volunteers.

Contacts.
If you wish to know more about getting involved
with the Phoenix Project or find out how it can
benefit young people then contact the Phoenix
team.
Contact Details. Stuart Jones Phoenix
Co-Ordinator Carol Roberts Phoenix
Admin Gillian Roberts Assistant Co-Ordinator
Wrexham/Flintshire David Lawson Assistant
Co-Ordinator Denbighshire/Conwy Simon Wilson
Assistant Co-Ordinator Gwynedd/Anglesey Phoenix
Project Team North Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Community Safety Department Rhyl Fire Station
Coast Road Denbighshire LL18 3PL Tel Carol
Roberts 07787 578 363 www.nwales-fireservice.org.u
k
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Statistics
Comments
All the pupils were pushed to their limits both
physically and mentally and revealed qualities
and strengths never seen before. Assistant Head
Teacher, Connahs Quay High School.
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