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Last week we went to Gloucestershire's Tri-Force Control Room - which is a slight misnomer, since the Ambulance Service moved out when Gloucestershire was integrated into a mega-South West group. We were met by Jerry, one of the responders and an ex-policeman, and Sgt Dave, a serving police officer. They explained how all emergency (999 or 112) calls are dealt with and Sgt Dave showed us his phone, handcuffs and asp (not a snake, as in Cleopatra's time, but a collapsable baton) and passed round his helmet.
We got to walk round the large room where all the police calls are taken (both 999 and 101 non-emergencies) and various officers waved at the Brownies. We saw 999 calls being answered and could see the areas some of the cctv cameras were looking at. Then we were shown into the Silver Control Room, which would be used during a major incident, and the Inspector in charge came in to say 'Hello'. (The Gold Control room is in the large building across the side road, which is the county police headquarters). The girls were very interested, and when I ran a quiz this week to see what they'd learnt/remembered they all did really well.
We're only a relatively small area, but the day we visited they received 186 999 calls, and 632 101 calls. It was of particular interest to me, partly since I'd had to dial 999 from work a few weeks ago, and also because all such knowledge is of use fic-wise.
This week we were back in the Community Centre. Four new girls joined, which brings us up to 18, because the girl we thought wasn't returning did. Brown Owl has two more girls to contact and then we will be full.
To tie up with our visit we are working for the Crime Prevention badge. We began with a Corner Quiz - multiple choice answers, run to the corner you think is correct - we've discovered this is a popular activity, and more fun than pen and paper. And then we learnt about keeping your home safe when you go out for the day, and when you go on holiday. I took the points from the Neighbourhood Watch material, but instead of getting the Brownies to write everything down we had simple actions, more fun and hopefully easier to remember.
For instance, WIDE starts off with outstretched arms, then WINDOWS closed and locked, INDOOR (INTERIOR) lights on a timer (switch on), DOORS closed and locked, outdoor (EXTERIOR) motion sensor lights (throw arms up to indicate sudden lights).
And finally we discussed how to keep possessions safe when out and about, and what sort of things I would carry in a handbag in front of me (phone, purse) and what I could carry in my backpack (umbrella, lunch - deemed very important). The Brownies were keen to join in, and hopefully they'll remember some of it.
We got to walk round the large room where all the police calls are taken (both 999 and 101 non-emergencies) and various officers waved at the Brownies. We saw 999 calls being answered and could see the areas some of the cctv cameras were looking at. Then we were shown into the Silver Control Room, which would be used during a major incident, and the Inspector in charge came in to say 'Hello'. (The Gold Control room is in the large building across the side road, which is the county police headquarters). The girls were very interested, and when I ran a quiz this week to see what they'd learnt/remembered they all did really well.
We're only a relatively small area, but the day we visited they received 186 999 calls, and 632 101 calls. It was of particular interest to me, partly since I'd had to dial 999 from work a few weeks ago, and also because all such knowledge is of use fic-wise.
This week we were back in the Community Centre. Four new girls joined, which brings us up to 18, because the girl we thought wasn't returning did. Brown Owl has two more girls to contact and then we will be full.
To tie up with our visit we are working for the Crime Prevention badge. We began with a Corner Quiz - multiple choice answers, run to the corner you think is correct - we've discovered this is a popular activity, and more fun than pen and paper. And then we learnt about keeping your home safe when you go out for the day, and when you go on holiday. I took the points from the Neighbourhood Watch material, but instead of getting the Brownies to write everything down we had simple actions, more fun and hopefully easier to remember.
For instance, WIDE starts off with outstretched arms, then WINDOWS closed and locked, INDOOR (INTERIOR) lights on a timer (switch on), DOORS closed and locked, outdoor (EXTERIOR) motion sensor lights (throw arms up to indicate sudden lights).
And finally we discussed how to keep possessions safe when out and about, and what sort of things I would carry in a handbag in front of me (phone, purse) and what I could carry in my backpack (umbrella, lunch - deemed very important). The Brownies were keen to join in, and hopefully they'll remember some of it.
