THE next generation of potential firefighters have been learning all about how crews keep people in their communities safe.

It follows a special visit from the Tri-Service Safety Officers.

Pupils at Lifton Community Academy enjoyed the visit as part of their topic People Who Help Us. The Early Years group were visited by Tri-Service Safety Officers Kate Bourn and Ella Henwood, who shared insights into their unique role working across police, fire, and ambulance services.

The officers explained how they respond to emergencies, carry out safety checks, and help prevent anti-social behaviour, giving pupils a hands-on understanding of first response and community safety.

Tri-Service Safety Officers are multi-skilled responders in Cornwall and Devon who bring together police, fire, and ambulance services to support local communities. Employed by Cornwall Council, they respond to 999 calls, carry out home safety checks, and tackle anti-social behaviour, helping to reduce demand on emergency services.

The school has expressed that through experiences like this, it aims to give pupils an understanding of themselves and others, helping them grow into confident, thoughtful members of their community.

Adam Hill, headteacher at Lifton Community Academy, said: “We were delighted to have Kate and Ella with our Early Years group. It was wonderful to see the children asking questions and learning how people work together to keep our communities safe.”

Tracey Cleverly, CEO of Learning Academy Partnership, said that visits such as this encourage ‘curiosity, teamwork, and an understanding of other’ among pupils.

She added: “Tri-Service Safety Officers play an important role in keeping communities safe, and it’s fantastic that our children could meet them and see that first-hand. Visits like this support the Early Years curriculum by encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and an understanding of others, laying the foundation for confident and responsible learners.”