These visits are a core function for all personnel, checks targeted to those identified as most vulnerable within the station area. These include people in low income areas, elderly people and single parents. Appointments are made using a range of promotional activities, 2 watches concentrating on cold calling in specified neighbourhoods. Targets are flexible, with an emphasis on quality, but an average completion rate for the station is approximately 160 each month.
A regular programme is maintained with all our local schools, structured to follow key stage points within the National curriculum. Input also reflects seasonal messages such as firework safety. In tandem with road safety education initiatives, interactive material has been obtained from the Department for Transport, along with workbooks to be distributed to primary school children. It is intended that some personnel on station will qualify in delivering the RoSPA cycling proficiency course as an addition to the Brigade's community safety message.
Personnel from the station attend a range of large and small community events throughout the calendar year. During 2005 these have included promoting fire and road safety at Cleveland Show, Preston Hall Rally and Middlesbrough Mela. We also attend regular meetings of local groups such as Coulby Newham Residents' Forum and have contact with, amongst others, Hemlington Surestart and Linx Youth project.
The station has Coulby police office as its immediate neighbour and works in partnership with local beat officers and the station Inspector. The fire station manager is a member of Problem Solving Group 4, an element of Safer Middlesbrough Partnership which brings together police, probation, local authority, health, education and all partiers with a statutory interest in crime reduction. Apart from arson prevention and detection, the fire service also contributes to diversionary education programmes, intelligence and information sharing. Appliances assist in providing a visible presence in the community
