SCHEMES where firefighters work with youngsters can greatly reduce the number of hoax 999 calls made, according to a report.
The report provides the fire and rescue services with a directory of schemes that aim to educate young people in community fire safety.
It provides the first national survey of youth work undertaken by brigades, and contains many examples of good practice and funding opportunities.
Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope said: "Young people are a high-risk group where fire is concerned. This spreads from the very young to schoolchildren to teenagers.
"Children also represent wider opportunities to the fire and rescue service to act as educators on fire safety."
Schemes in North brigades singled out for praise include two projects by firefighters in Tyne and Wear.
Officers use a courtroom drama to show the results of arson. They also run the Phoenix Project, a seven-day development and esteem course in partnership with Sunderland Youth Offending Team.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article