firefighters Partner with Universities, Launch Student Safety Bus Ahead of New Term
Southampton, UK – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is bolstering student safety measures ahead of the new university term, collaborating with local universities, Southampton City Council, and the Miracle Street Charity to provide enhanced support for students. The initiative includes joint training exercises on university campuses and the deployment of a dedicated support bus during evenings, especially throughout freshers’ week.
With a notable influx of students arriving in Southampton each year, HIWFRS is proactively working to build strong relationships with educational institutions to prevent incidents and ensure a swift, effective response should emergencies occur. This collaborative approach focuses on familiarizing firefighters with campus layouts and providing readily available assistance to students navigating a new city and autonomous living.
“We are aware of the large student population we welcome to the city each year,” said Station Manager Pete McClemont. “That is why it is so important for us to build a strong relationship with our universities in order to reach the student audience and help prevent incidents. Conducting training exercises on their sites allows us to become familiar with the buildings, ensuring we are best prepared to respond should an incident occur there.”
The support bus,equipped with charging facilities and hot drinks,will operate in Southampton’s nightclub areas during peak evening hours. It offers a safe haven for students who may be lost, have overindulged, are experiencing homesickness, or simply need a secure place to wait for transportation.
HIWFRS will house the bus at St Mary’s Fire Station during the day, strategically positioning it for immediate deployment when needed. The service is also partnering with Southampton City Council and the Miracle Street Charity to operate the bus, further expanding its reach and impact.
“We are also working with Southampton City council and the Miracle Street Charity to house their bus, which will be out and about across the city during the evenings doing an unbelievable job in offering support to students on nights out,” added McClemont.
