The call came during a visit to West Midlands Fire Service to explore the range of work it undertakes with young people. The visit took place at Handsworth Community Fire Station where Blacke met with youth services manager for West Midlands Fire Service Dave Hackney.
The youth services section of the service aims to make the West Midlands safer by working with young people who are at risk of becoming victims of fire, misusers of fire or perpetrators of fire-related crime.
Blacke said: "I'm pleased West Midlands Fire Service invited me here to discuss its work with young people. Changes in the ways in which children and young people's services are being delivered in local authority areas means it is vitally important that those authorities work closely with other organisations, including the voluntary sector. Having seen and discussed the wide range of positive activities provided for young people by West Midlands Fire Service, I believe that fire service youth activity needs to be incorporated into local authorities offers for young people."
