Tuesday 22 May 2007
07.30hrs
On Tuesday 22 May Avon Fire & Rescue Service will launch two
new safety initiatives at the International Fire Expo 2007 at the
NEC in Birmingham. Set to turn heads and take the service’s
community safety strategy to a new level, these two initiatives
take a fresh approach to engaging with the community.
AF&RS’s new Internet TV site, FireTV, is expected to become
a key method for the service to connect with technology friendly
audiences of all ages. FireTV, which can be found at
www.firetv.org.uk, is a
fun, visual and interactive site that provides the viewer with a
number of zones to explore.
From learning more about the service and life as a firefighter
to recruitment and safety films, FireTV appeals to a wide range of
people. Not only this, but similar to other popular film
websites, visitors will be able to upload their own films as part
of on-going competitions run on the site - with issues such as the
danger of hoax calls and anti-social behaviour to firefighters
being explored by the very people who may be involved.
As part of the FireTV launch, Avon F&RS is also holding a
Bristol launch at Hartcliffe Engineering Community College, where
students have been involved in the development of the site.
The launch in Bristol will link live with Birmingham on Tuesday 22,
during the Fire Expo. The ‘Live’ zone of FireTV also provides the
facility to air ‘Warn and Inform’ messages to the public, and live
incident footage, if a major incident were to happen.
At present FireTV is Avon based, but it is hoped that fire and
rescue services across the country will link up and partner Avon to
provide a national FireTV to the UK public.
Alongside FireTV, Avon F&RS will also unveil its Hot Air
Balloon at Fire Expo 2007. This is the first ever fire and
rescue service Hot Air Balloon, which Avon F&RS aims to use as
a marketing tool to promote safety messages to a captivated and
targeted audience.
Chair of the Fire Authority, Councillor Terry Walker, said: “We
are delighted to be launching these two new and innovative
community safety tools. We have a legal duty to promote a
safer environment for our community via initiatives and we need to
continually think of new and ‘modern’ ways in which to do
this.
“The Authority is proud to be leading the way among fire and
rescue services. Both FireTV and AF&RS’s hot air balloon
are entirely new concepts and we look forward to seeing the
results.”
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jerry O’Brien said: “Digital media is
becoming ever more important when it comes to reaching teenagers,
one of our key targets, and we believe FireTV will be crucial in
educating young people about issues such as the dangers of hoax
calls and dangerous driving.
“Hot Air Balloons have proven to be successful in delivering
messages and raising brand awareness with the public - you don’t
need to open a magazine or newspaper, turn on the TV or radio, or
even log on. Everyone is mesmerised by balloons and will stop
to watch their flight - even taking pictures of them. What
better way to promote key messages such as ‘smoke alarms save
lives’ and ‘hoax calls cost lives’.”
With the facility to change its safety banner message, Avon
F&RS’s Hot Air Balloon will fly at local events, such as the
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, and at other times to promote
seasonal messages and topical ones in response to incident trends
that the service may be experiencing.