County fire quiz hots up

The annual fire safety quiz run by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is hotting up as the top ten Shropshire schools go through to the county finals on April 22.

Each school has won its own regional heat or came runner up to qualify for the prestigious final being held at Telford fire station competing for a top prize of £500.

The top ten schools are: Rhyn Park Oswestry; Lakelands, Ellesmere; Priory, Shrewsbury; Newport High school; Blessed Robert Johnson; Sutherland; Lord Silkin; Wrockwardine Wood; Oldbury Wells, Bridgnorth and Bishops Castle Community College.

They will answer a series of fire and general safety questions in a contest run in partnership with West Midland Ambulance Service and the Primary Care Trust.

Almost every senior school in Shropshire signed up for the fire quiz organised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. Hundreds of 11-years-olds from 33 schools learned hundreds of facts, figures and expert advice compiled into a Be Cool Be Safe magazine and accessed on the county fire service website at www.shropshirefire.gov.uk

This included knowledge on staying safe with fire, water, on the roads and railways, how to deal with school bullies, facts on alcohol, drugs and tobacco, and what to do in an emergency.

"Children across Shropshire have worked very hard with our crews who have gone into a number of schools to get the knowledge they need to answer the questions. It is all around safety and is an excellent way of teaching life skills to youngsters who will hopefully keep much of the information to ensure they stay safe," said organiser Lynn Hosking.

"I want to thank all the schools who took part, many of which have built our sessions with firefighters into their lessons timetable."

11th April, 2008