Almost every senior school in Shropshire has signed up for this year's fire quiz organised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. A total of 33 schools begin the battle to find the best team of 11-year-olds in the county on a series of key safety skills.
Hundreds of county pupils have been preparing for the quiz with visits from their local fire crews. Firefighters have been coaching them at school to answer rapid fire questions 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.
The quiz in its present format is the brainchild of Lynn Hosking, youth officer with the county fire brigade, who has worked with safety experts to compile the quiz.
"It is such a popular event and always attracts very high calibre teams. Children 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.
"I want to thank the schools, many of which have built our sessions with firefighters into their lessons timetable."
Pupils have all been studying 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
Road safety officers', police, fire, Community Safety Partnerships, and alcohol and drug professionals have all contributed to the information.
The first of four regional heats kicks off on March 4 at 10am at Meole Brace School when eight schools take part in the quiz. They are: Meole Brace, The Grange, Wakeman, Sundorne, Priory, Mary Webb, Pontesbury, Lakelands School, Ellesmere and Ercall Wood in Telford.
This is followed on March 6 with a second heat at Hadley Learning Centre with nine schools including the Sutherland, Abraham Darby, Wrockwardine Wood, Madeley Court, Phoenix, Charlton, Blessed Robert Johnson and Lord Silkin.
At the Thomas Adams School in Wem a total of eight schools are taking part on March 11 including last year's winners the Marches, Sir John Talbot, The Grove, Burton Borough, Corbet, Rhyn Park and Newport Girls High.
The final heat is at Church Stretton School on March 18 when another eight schools will compete in the quiz at Bishops Castle Community College, Oldbury Wells, Ludlow, William Brookes, Kingsland Grange, Wrekin College and Idsall.
Ten regional winners will go through to a grand final on April 22nd at Telford Central fire station competing for a top prize of £500.
