Deaf schoolchildren create ‘lifesaving’ sign language factsheet and tutorial video for Newcastle firefighters (BSL)

Deaf pupils from two schools in Newcastle have produced a new interactive video and factsheet teaching 20 phrases in British Sign Language, with the aim of helping local firefighters in emergencies involving Deaf people.

The 11 schoolchildren, aged between 4 and 12 years old, attend hearing impairment additionally resourced provisions (HIARPs) at Broadwood Primary School and Park Academy. The project was inspired by lessons in the classroom around the “people who help us”.

Firefighters from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station’s Red Watch team recently joined pupils to film videos of them signing against a green screen background – with chosen phrases including ‘where is the fire’, ‘follow me’ and ‘how many people inside’.

Meanwhile, a factsheet containing the signs will be laminated and stored next to fire appliances used by the firefighters while attending incidents across Tyne and Wear.

Kirsten Binns, a Teacher of the Deaf at Broadwood Primary School’s HIARP, said the school was “inspired” by the firefighters’ visit.

“We thought that making a practical video would be a good way for children from our primary school and secondary additionally resourced provision to all work together to produce this project.

“The children benefitted by deepening their vocabulary and understanding of the work of firefighters in the local community, and by teaching them some basic signs. They also learned some useful filming and editing skills that will be handy later in their creative school journey.”

Steven Walker, watch manager at the fire station, added: “It’s been a wonderful experience for our firefighters to learn the essential sign language phrases that could ultimately help to save somebody’s life in the future.

“It’s also very rewarding to have the knowledge that young people from our local community holds the fire service in such high regard to produce this empathetic project to help our frontline responding team.

“Sign language is an important means of communication and it’s priceless for our crews to have this informative insight that will benefit our day-to-day operations.”

The full video is available to watch online on YouTube.

Photo: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.