Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service began working with Kisky Netmedia in January 2007 to explore the possibilities of incorporating Emerging Technologies into their work in Youth Engagement projects. The core aim is to use accessible, simple technologies to enhance the delivery of the Youth Engagement Programmes.

Various project ideas have been explored, and some work is now underway in the form of small-scale pilot projects. The SMS Alerts project will help MF&RS staff to use SMS messages to maintain a dialogue with young people during and after participation in a MF&RS course. Similarly, “CameraAction”, a camera phone project will enable Fire Support Officers to send immediate visual alerts from anywhere, at any time using camera phones.

Larger scale ideas are also being developed in the background and are being influenced by what we are learning through our pilot projects; potential projects include the use of MySpace in youth projects, and the development of a high profile Video Training and Video Diary project with other project partners.

MF&RS & Kisky Netmedia are now looking to find Partners to work with the service on the ‘OurOpenSpace’ project. A key aspect to the ‘OurOpenSpace’ project is a blog / website that will showcase any emerging technology project. It will act as a record of research, work and as a promotional tool, pushing the messages of these innovative projects to a wider global audience.