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Important information prior to a visit from DFRS
Please read the following information and, if required, use it to create a risk assessment before the visit to or by us and to SafeWise.
We do encourage you to invite parents and carers to the SAFE-D visit.All DFRS staff interacting with children and young people have had Safeguarding (Child protection) training and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on entry. DFRS are also covered by the Public Liability Insurance.
DFRS staff will:
Discuss the activities that will be delivered before the visit and brief the teachers/ group leaders on safety issues, including the movement of the fire appliance, a safe location to go to if the appliance is mobilised,
At the start of each visit, a safety briefing will be given to the group (as above).
Advise the children and young people/ teachers / leaders and adults not to touch anything on the fire appliance unless DFRS staff give permission.
Discuss any possible issues, such as children and young people/ teachers / leaders and adults becoming distressed by the content of the session and agree with the group leader on how to deal with the situation.
Discuss with the teacher/ group leader any special or additional needs a child or young person may have and discuss how to make sure every group member gets the most out of the visit.
Move any DFRS vehicle in accordance with the driving policy, including using a "banksman" to ensure safe reversing.
If possible, provide special "junior firekit" for the children to try on as children will not be allowed to try on operational firefighter’s personal protective equipment.
Leave at least one member of staff with the fire appliance at all times.
Teachers and Group Leaders are responsible for:
Making sure there is always at least one responsible adult with the children / young people at all times.
The discipline and safety of the children and young people.
Providing the appropriate number of adults as per your risk assessment and DFRS ratios.
Informing DFRS staff if any child, young person or adult has been affected by a fire or road traffic incident and discussing (as needed) with their parents/carers, teachers/ group leaders and DFRS how to ensure safety messages are given sensitively.
Supporting any group member or adult, who may become upset by the content of the sessions.
Informing DFRS of any group member or adults with additional needs where a change in the session may be required. This could include mobility issues, sensitivity to loud noises, hearing issues, sight issues or learning difficulties.
Informing DFRS staff of any group members with behavioural difficulties and clarifying with DFRS staff how to support and include the pupils.
Moving the group members in agreement with the safety briefing if required.
Providing adults to assist the children in and out of the fire appliance.
Please note that:
Firefighters will be on operational duty and therefore may be required to attend emergencies.
If the firefighters are called to an emergency during the visit they will have to leave immediately. If they are called to an emergency before the visit they maybe late. Unfortunately there is no way of informing you of these incidences before your visit.
The firefighters will contact you as soon as possible to re-arrange the visit.
If firefighters are mobilsed to an emergency you must ensure all group members (including adults) obey the safety briefing.
At the start of each visit, a safety briefing will be given to the group (as above).
Advise the children and young people/ teachers / leaders and adults not to touch anything on the fire appliance unless DFRS staff give permission.
Discuss any possible issues, such as children and young people/ teachers / leaders and adults becoming distressed by the content of the session and agree with the group leader on how to deal with the situation.
Discuss with the teacher/ group leader any special or additional needs a child or young person may have and discuss how to make sure every group member gets the most out of the visit.
Move any DFRS vehicle in accordance with the driving policy, including using a "banksman" to ensure safe reversing.
If possible, provide special "junior firekit" for the children to try on as children will not be allowed to try on operational firefighter’s personal protective equipment.
Leave at least one member of staff with the fire appliance at all times.
Teachers and Group Leaders are responsible for:
Making sure there is always at least one responsible adult with the children / young people at all times.
The discipline and safety of the children and young people.
Providing the appropriate number of adults as per your risk assessment and DFRS ratios.
Informing DFRS staff if any child, young person or adult has been affected by a fire or road traffic incident and discussing (as needed) with their parents/carers, teachers/ group leaders and DFRS how to ensure safety messages are given sensitively.
Supporting any group member or adult, who may become upset by the content of the sessions.
Informing DFRS of any group member or adults with additional needs where a change in the session may be required. This could include mobility issues, sensitivity to loud noises, hearing issues, sight issues or learning difficulties.
Informing DFRS staff of any group members with behavioural difficulties and clarifying with DFRS staff how to support and include the pupils.
Moving the group members in agreement with the safety briefing if required.
Providing adults to assist the children in and out of the fire appliance.
Please note that:
Firefighters will be on operational duty and therefore may be required to attend emergencies.
If the firefighters are called to an emergency during the visit they will have to leave immediately. If they are called to an emergency before the visit they maybe late. Unfortunately there is no way of informing you of these incidences before your visit.
The firefighters will contact you as soon as possible to re-arrange the visit.
If firefighters are mobilsed to an emergency you must ensure all group members (including adults) obey the safety briefing.
Visit to SafeWise
Please read the following information, prior to your visit, and, if required, use it to create a risk assessment for your visit to SafeWise. All DFRS staff interacting with children and young people have had Safeguarding (Child protection) training and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on entry. DFRS are also covered by the Public Liability Insurance.
DFRS Staff will:
Discuss the activities that will be delivered before the visit and brief the school staff on safety issues.
Discuss any possible issues, such as a child or adult becoming distressed by the content of the session and agree with the school staff on how to deal with the situation.
Discuss any possible issues caused by the special affects in the FireWise tour, such as artificial smoke, strobe lighting and loud and unexpected noises (controlled by DFRS staff).
Discuss with school staff any special or additional needs a pupil may have and discuss how to make sure every pupil gets the most out of the visit.
Make sure all areas accessed by pupils and school staff are safe and appropriate.
School staff are responsible for:
Making sure there is always at least one member of school staff with the pupils at all times.
The discipline and safety of the pupils.
Providing the appropriate number of adults as per your risk assessment.
Informing DFRS staff if any pupil or adult has been affected by a fire or road traffic incident and discussing (as needed) with their parents/carers, teachers and DFRS how to ensure safety messages are given sensitively.
Informing DFRS staff if any pupil or adult may be affected by any of the special affects and discussing with DFRS staff the best option.
Supporting any pupil or adult who may become upset by the content of the session.
Informing DFRS of any pupils or adults with additional needs where a change in the session may be required This could include mobility issues, sensitivity to loud noises, hearing issues, sight issues, learning difficulties.
Informing DFRS staff of any pupils with behavioural difficulties and clarifying with DFRS staff how to support and include the pupils.
The safety of all members of their group, in accordance with DFRS fire evacuation procedures.
Transport to and from premises.
Any money or valuables brought to DFRS premises by pupils or staff.
The Education Officers are trained in the delivery of the SafeWise tours and can adapt the tour to fit any needs. Please do speak to the Education Officer if you have any concerns at any point.
Please consider the following points to create a Risk Assessment if required:
Trip Hazards - Corridors, classroom and stairs are kept clear of trip hazards at all times. Students are supervised if entering any of the "sets" and advised where to take care.
Special affects – strobe lights, loud and sudden noises and artificial smoke
Teachers are informed during booking process and reminded on arrival of visit. Certain special affects can be not used as requested or students leave (accompanied by adult) during that affect.
Tampering with the "set" props and equipment
Students are supervised at all times and undertake activities under close supervision. Areas not under supervision will be locked.
Sitting on the floor - Students will be asked to sit on the floor for many of the activities in the classrooms. Any students who is unable to sit on the floor will be offered a chair. Students are asked to sit away from the doors and furniture and asked to take care of stepping on each others fingers etc. Walkways will be created within the group for students to move as per the activity.
Emotional distress - Teachers are informed of content of sessions during booking process and reminded on arrival of visit. Students may leave (accompanied by teachers) if distressed. Elements of the session can be adapted with discussion with the teacher prior to visit.
Special needs - Teachers are requested, during booking process of any adaptations required for special needs.
Safeguarding - DFRS staff have all had CRB checks and have undertaken Safeguarding Training. DFRS have a Safeguarding Procedure (available on request before visit)
Photographs -DFRS staff will not take photographs or video without permission of the schools. DFRS have a media procedure (available on request before visit)
First Aid - A First Aid kit is available and DFRS Education Officers are first aid trained. Should there not be a First Aid trained member of DFRS you will be informed prior to the visit.
Unaccompanied students - School staff are asked to ensure that students are accompanied at all times, locked doors prevent access to the operational Fire Station.
Fire Alarms - Fire safety briefing will be given to all at the start of the visit. School staff are requested to hand a list of all visitors to the Education Officers on arrival. During the sessions the Education Officers will guide the group to the correct fire assembly point. DFRS staff only will move between assembly points to check all visitors are accounted for. Students and schools staff not with the Education Officer (for example visiting the toilet) are asked to follow the emergency exit signs and wait at an assembly point.
When the group is unaccompanied by an Education Officer, (e.g. lunch) school staff will be given instructions on fire safety and to assemble and wait at the nearest fire assembly point.