Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service has deployed a minibus that will help bring a message about fire safety to the public.
Donated by Northumbria police, the 14-seater vehicle will take those less able to travel alone to an interactive safety centre called SafetyWorks.
The centre, built inside a former upholstery factory, promotes safety messages through live re-enactments of a range of potentially dangerous events.
Designed to look like a city centre, the warehouse has a high street with a Sainsbury’s store, a police station, a hospital and a Metro station. It also has a building site, a house with a simulated burning room as well as burnt-out room.
Safety messages given include home safety, road safety, safer travel, water safety, the consequences of crime, safety on the metro, drugs and alcohol awareness, internet safety, fire safety and personal safety.
While the centre, in Benwell, Newcastle, is run by the fire service, is has been part funded by local police and donated to by local organisations.
A spokesman for the service said: “Nexus has provided and built a realistic metro station and platform with an actual Metro train to help promote safety awareness near metro lines and at metro stations.
“Sainsbury’s has provided a fully equipped and stocked mini store and they will be educating all elements of safety, health and well being, addressing issues such as the under age sale of fireworks.”
The minibus was first used last week to transport residents from Gateshead Sheltered Housing to the building.
Area manager for community safety, John Baines, said: "The centre is an excellent example of how by working together we can help make our communities safer. It is often the same people who are most vulnerable in our society, whether that’s from crime, fire or traffic, so it is important that we work together to help protect them.
"I’m sure the new minibus will help us relay those messages to many more people who may otherwise have been unable to come to the centre."
