TEACHERS from across York and North Yorkshire are to get the chance to see how the fire service operates as part of a new initiative.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is inviting teachers from across the city and surrounding area to their Easingwold training centre to experience first hand what the service does.

The visit is part of a partnership scheme between the fire service and the North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership (NYBEP), and is aimed at careers advisers as well as classroom teachers.

The aim is to better inform teachers of the many and varied jobs within the fire service so they can take their insight back to the classroom.

Simon Errington, the fire and rescue service's workforce development manager, said: "This is a superb opportunity to gain an insight into how the service operates.

"It will give teachers a snapshot of one of our crucial services and the people that make it work."

The visit, on Thursday, February 21, will include an overview of the force's recruitment and selection process and provide a practical opportunity to view and in some cases try out some of the tests used.

A demonstration of activities and scenarios will be recreated at the centre so teachers can see what trainee firefighters go through.

They will also have a tour of the facility with the chance to ask any questions before the end of the event.

This is not the first time the fire service has engaged with schools. In 2006, York fire chiefs launched a campaign to try and stop wayward teenagers getting a taste for arson.

The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) scheme ran at Huntington Fire Station during the school half-term for about 14 youths aged between 13 and 18, to try to deter arson attacks.

During the course, those taking part got to experience firefighters' duties, including putting out fires using hoses, climbing ladders and going into sewers North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service also has an education programme, delivering to Key Stages 1,2,3 and 4. This involves educational talks from fire crews and the schools education officer, videos and interactive games.

Places for teachers on next month's course are limited, and anyone wanting to take part should phone Zena Chui at NYBEP on 01904 693632, or email zena@nybep.org.uk, before February 15.