Thursday 19 November
11.00hrs
A group of budding young firefighters showed off their newly
learned skills during a passing out demonstration from a fire
cadets course today.
In the last three months eight students from Lawrence Weston’s
Bristol Gateway School have been regular visitors to Avonmouth Fire
Station for a FireSkills course. The 10 weekly sessions saw the
teenagers learn the basics of firefighting while developing their
own skills in problem solving, team building and self esteem. Each
of the teenagers on the course also had their own firefighter
mentor to discuss any specific issues with.
The 13 and 14 year olds are all students at Bristol Gateway
School which educates young people with a range of behavioural,
emotional and social learning difficulties.
As part of their curriculum the students took part in the
FireSkills course delivered by operational firefighters and
supported by Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s (AF&RS) Youth
Development Centre (YDC). Staff from YDC are involved in a series
of projects and initiatives across the Avon area to engage with
young people with the aim of reducing fire injuries and deaths
while also diverting them from becoming involved in fire crime and
antisocial behaviour.
Avonmouth Station Manager Derrick Hone said: “Like every fire
and rescue service in the country, we are committed to using our
skills, knowledge and training to better protect young people in
our communities. Our work now is not just about attending
incidents, but where we can, taking steps to stop fires and other
emergencies happening in the first place.
“Projects like this FireSkills course ensure we work with some
of the most vulnerable young people in the community to make a real
and long term positive difference to their lives and those of
others.”
AF&RS and Bristol Gateway School forged links during the
Safer Bristol Day of Action in March. Firefighters from Avonmouth
Fire Station gave a road safety demonstration which paved the way
for a long term partnership between the two organisations.
Today the students on the FireSkills course demonstrated
their new skills during a passing out parade attended
by senior AF&RS officers. At the end of the programme the
students will receive a nationally recognised qualification in
Problem Solving.