JUNIOR firefighters have turned up the heat on their studies after completing a qualification to help develop citizenship in young people.
Sixteen students from St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham, have completed an BTEC level two qualification in fire and rescue services in the community working with Cleveland Fire Brigade.
The year-long cadets programme, undertaken in partnership with Durham University, the Education Endowment Fund and Youth United, encourages students to fulfil their potential by developing leadership qualities, increasing self-esteem, thinking about social consciousness and community awareness and good citizenship.
Cleveland Fire Brigade Youth development co-ordinator Josh O’Donoghue, who helped to lead the programme, said: “The course is quite challenging and as well as focusing on citizenship issues it also looks at areas including teamwork, discipline and a range of employment skills which will be vital to the students in the future.
“At the same time, it’s an opportunity for the brigade to promote safety messages to the young people, their families and their peers.
“We’ve seen massive change in the group here at St Michael’s. They have matured into very responsible young people and responded well to everything that they have learnt throughout the year.”
Programme areas covered by the cadets over the 12 months include working with breathing apparatus and pumping appliances as well as community safety and first aid classes with practical and academic lessons at both St Michael’s School and the local fire training centre.
Student Jason Wilson, 14, of Norton, said: “When I leave school I want to join the RAF as a pilot so the cadet scheme seemed a good stepping stone to learning some of the skills I will need to know.
Abbie Johnson, 14, of Norton, added: “I want to be a paramedic so the first aid element of the course was really interesting for me.
“Hopefully I’ll go on to college to study uniformed public services so to get a BTEC in fire and rescue services in the community is a great start.”
