A former Merseyside fire fighter has turned his hand to writing children’s books, as part of a mission to promote fire safety in schools.

Dave Fanning created Phil the Fire Engine in a bid to help educate young children about the dangers of fires and how they start. Now, Dave wants to see his books used as a learning resource in primary schools throughout the UK.

A Halton based MP Graham Evans has already lent his support to Dave’s campaign, and has written to regional councils and the Department of Education to recommend the books be distributed throughout schools.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service have given their backing to the initiative. Halton Borough Council is also backing the books by encouraging schools in the area to use them as an educational resource.

Dave, formerly a station commander in Toxteth, has been speaking out about fire safety for decades. He became passionate about the issue in the 1980s, after witnessing a horrendous blaze that killed an 18-month-old girl. Her three-year-old brother had accidentally started the fire in their home.

He set about designing a programme for schools including visits from firefighters to educate about the dangers of matches, hoax calls and starting fires. As part of this, to help deliver the message he created Phil the Fire Engine.

Illustrated by George Jones, the adventures are aimed at children and teachers alike, to encourage learning about fire safety in a fun and engaging way. Dave has also devised Powerpoint presentations for schools so the stories can be shown to classes on overhead projectors, as well as lesson plans. Subjects covered in the books include house fires and bonfire night.

As well as schools, the books are also being taken up by children’s wards and burns units to help children understand and come to terms with burns injuries.

Dave said: “Fire safety is not on the national curriculum, but is such an important thing for young children to be aware of, and learning about it in school really helps to get that message across.

“Schools tell me how reading the books in class has led to discussions and projects centred around fire awareness, which means the messages Phil aims to get across really are working and helping children to think about the consequences of playing with matches and fire, and making hoax calls.

“I’m thrilled the books are getting so much support and it’s my goal to see them made available to as many children as possible.”

The books are only available online now at : www.philthefireengine.com.