Firefighter Dave Fanning launches books to spread safety message

Jan 26 2012 by Daniel Mckenzie, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DAVE Fanning saw some horrific things as a firefighter – including a blaze which killed a baby girl started by her three-year-old brother.

The tragedy 21 years ago

prompted him to start an award-winning scheme teaching fire safety to schools in Halton and Merseyside.

Now Dave has turned his hand to writing children’s books, as part of a mission to promote his fire safety message.

He has created Phil The Fire Engine in a bid to educate young children about the dangers of fire and how they are started.

Dave says he wants to see his books used as a learning resource in primary schools throughout the UK.

Halton MP Graham Evans has pledged his support to Dave’s campaign, and has written to regional councils and the Department Of Education to recommend the books be distributed throughout schools.

Halton Borough Council is also backing the initiative by encouraging schools in the area to take up the books as an educational resource.

Dave, a former station commander in Toxteth, has been speaking out about fire safety since retiring in 1999 after 35 years service.

Illustrated by George Jones, the books are aimed at children and teachers alike, to encourage learning about fire safety in a fun and engaging way.

As well as schools, the books are being taken up by children’s wards and burns units to help youngsters understand burn injuries.

Dave said: “Fire safety is not on the national curriculum but is such an important thing for young children to be aware of, and learning about it in school really helps to get that message across. Schools tell me how reading the books in class has led to discussions and projects centred around fire awareness, which means the messages really are working.”

To order a book or for more information visit www.philthefireengine.com