More than 200 teenagers from schools around West Yorkshire have passed their Young Firefighters course with flying colours.

The young people carried out a number of fire drills in front of their family, teachers, head teachers and senior fire service officers at formal graduation ceremonies at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters in Birkenshaw last week.

The scenarios saw them rescuing casualties from simulated house fires and preventing the spread of fire in a high rise block using jets of water.

Young Firefighters come from 16 schools in the area and have all completeda Level Two BTEC qualification in Fire and Rescue Service in the Community.

Martin Hoole, youth training team manager for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The young people who have graduated should be very proud of themselves for the hard work and commitment they have shown.

"The course is challenging and focuses on a number of aspects, including teamwork, discipline and a range of employment skills; elements which will be invaluable to the young people during school and later in life."

Run as a one or two-year course the BTEC includes practical and academic lessons at their local fire station in subject areas such as breathing apparatus, pumping appliances, community safety and first aid which include a range of holistic health and safety messages.

The Young Firefighters scheme was originally conceived in Wakefield eight years ago as a means of engaging more with young people in our communities and promoting fire and road safety awareness to them and in the community. Since then, the scheme has worked with 72 schools from across West Yorkshire and approximately 6,350 students.

For a full list of the schools involved and for more information on the scheme visit www.westyorksfire.gov.uk 

Posted 22/05/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com