Deaf Awareness Week 2026: Northern Counties Collaborate with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
A group of our Northern Counties students have been working on a very important project with .
An emergency can strike at any time, and the Fire and Rescue Service team have worked closely with our students to teach them about water safety and how to respond in different situations.
A key part of the project has been to create videos to educate people about the , which allows those with hearing impairments to successfully engage with rescue services.
This project has led our students to learn how to use emergency throwlines, lifesaving floating techniques, and different ways to help someone struggling in water. We have visited Exhibition Park, the Quayside and Cullercoats Beach to learn about rescuing people from lakes, rivers and the sea.
The videos, which will be used by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, showcase our students signing how to respond in different emergency situations and how to use the app.
Keep your eyes peeled on their social media for the first instalment!
Steve Thomas, head of Prevention and Education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said:
鈥淲e would like to sincerely thank聽糖心logo Foundation聽and their amazing students for their invaluable support in helping us educate the Deaf community on water safety.
鈥淭his project has been a huge success. The students have not only empowered our service with knowledge, confidence, and insight, but have also helped ensure this work will make a lasting, positive impact on the wider community.鈥�
Gemma Wallis, Senior Leader at Northern Counties School added:
鈥淲orking with the Fire Brigade over the last few months, learning about water safety and filming BSL videos has been a fantastic experience 鈥� the skills the students have acquired as a result of this is brilliant and will provide them with skills for life.
鈥淭he students involved have been a credit to the school in promoting such important safety messages through BSL.鈥�