30/6/2006 - Photo opportunity: Proud day for Windermere's Young Firefighters

A group of young people will have their achievements recognised next week after completing Windermere fire station's first 'Young Fire-fighters' scheme.

The innovative scheme helps young people from Windermere to build their self-confidence and improve teamwork and communication by training them in basic fire and rescue service skills like first aid, fire prevention and rudimentary fire fighting. 

Photographers are invited to attend the passing out parade at the station in Ellerthwaite Road from 1:30pm Tuesday 4 July where family, friends and instructors will watch the scheme's successful Young Firefighters perform hose drills and other exercises before being presented with certificates of achievement by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison.

Part of the training included carrying out Home Safety Checks in Windermere and fitting free domestic smoke detectors where required. Home Safety Checks are a free service provided by Cumbria Fire and Resuce Service's firefighters who try to make sure people have working smoke detectors and a plan of how they will get out of their home in the event of a fire. 

The eleven young people, who have attended the course for two hours every Tuesday afternoon over the last ten weeks, were nominated for the scheme by the Lakes School who thought they would benefit from the training which has been provided by the station's retained firefighters. 

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison says the Young Firefighters scheme emphasises the importance of dedication, determination and perseverance. "The scheme gets across some important safety messages and helps these youngsters become more aware of the community around them and how they can better contribute to it," He said.

People can arrange to receive a free Home Safety Check by contacting Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service's freephone number 0800-358-4777.