STREET wardens are undergoing fire awareness training as part of a campaign to reduce arson attacks.
Fire chiefs on Teesside, where more than 80 per cent of all call outs are to fires started deliberately, have provided training for more than 200 council wardens.
The focus of the training is targeting arson hot spots.
George Crooks, arson task force manager at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "Arson awareness training for partners in the community is proving popular, not just in our brigade area, but also in other areas.
"Easington Council sent three delegates to join seven from Middlesbrough Council on our last course and we have also trained wardens from Tyne and Wear and Humberside.''
"Wardens are given an appreciation of fire - how it develops, what extinguishers to use, domestic fire escape planning, positioning of smoke detectors and home fire safety checks.
"They are also shown how to recognise arson indicators in the community and how to manage fuel systems, such as litter, which may contribute to arson. And they attend a practical session on site to see for themselves how the Arson Task Force works.
"After arson awareness training, wardens become the eyes and ears in the communities they serve and can play a vital role."
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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