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Figures released in May 2005 by Zurich Municipal, a leading education and risk management provider, show that the cost of fires in schools increased by 13% in 2004 compared to the previous year.
Figures released in May 2005 by Zurich Municipal, a leading education and risk management provider, show that the cost of fires in schools increased by 13% in 2004 compared to the previous year.
Related costs incurred as a result of school fires cost GB pound 83 million last year and have increased by more than 137% over the last 10 years.
Statistics show that three schools suffer from arson attacks every day largely caused by pupils and ex-pupils.
To try and stamp out the problem Zurich Municipal has developed
The Arson Combated Together (ACT) fire service tool kit, a practical educational aid designed to raise awareness among pupils and teachers. It is now being provided free of charge to fire services throughout the UK and Zurich Municipal has reported a 50% increase in the amount of requests for it in the last month.
The toolkit is designed to combat deliberate fire setting in schools by changing behaviours. It provides fire services with a comprehensive resource to teach children about the danger and risk of arson attacks.
The kit will enable fire services to implement the programme with schools in their area.
The initiative is supported by the Arson Prevention Bureau (APB), the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), the ODPM-led Arson Control Forum and the National Community Fire Safety Centre (part of ODPM). The kit contains a range of resources, each of which can be used on their own or
combined, including:
fire service guidance notes
teachers’ resource pack
copy of play script with drama procedure
story cassette
cassette notes
CD Rom, with leaflet and press release templates.
Larry Stokes, underwriting manager at Zurich Municipal and chair of the Arson Prevention Bureau’s schools working group commented:
“School arson is a complex, serious crime with widespread effects. This new toolkit will assist fire services and schools in encouraging pupils to think about the many implications of arson. This programme also fits in with many curriculum topics including peer pressure, relationships, consequences and responsibility, how to be ‘risk aware’ and be good citizens. Fire services are the ideal partners to implement the programme as they have in-depth knowledge and practical experience of arson in schools.”
Research after a pilot scheme showed that students had heightened awareness of the risks of arson. Zurich Municipal report that this led to a marked significant decrease in property losses from schools in the pilot area compared to a control study.
The toolkit has been designed in consultation with fire services, teachers and psychologists.