Young people flourish at Wisbech Fire Station

12 August 2008

Young people on YISP course at Wisbech Fire Station showing their certificates in front of a fire engine.

YOUNG people in Fenland have discovered their hidden potential this week during a two day course at Wisbech Fire Station.

The course aims to educate and challenge young people who are at risk of offending or social exclusion. It calls for the young people to work together as a team while completing basic firefighter training and confidence building exercises.

A total of seven young people between the age of 10 and 13 took part in the course held this week. They have now been praised by firefighters for their enthusiasm and efforts during this event, which was hailed as a great success.

Matt Murdoch, Watch Manager at Wisbech Fire Station, said: "I would like to thank the young people for their high levels of commitment and professionalism while at the station this week.

"The course is designed to get them stuck in doing something practical and worthwhile as a team and they embraced this concept beautifully."

During their time at the station, the young people completed the following activities:

  • Team building exercises. 
  • Learnt how the consequences of their actions can impact on the Fire Service
  • Handled equipment, including breathing apparatus, hose reels, and uniform
  • Looked around the station and fire engines
  • Learnt about appliances (including fire engines) and drill yard safety - including how to take part in an official drill which commands discipline and the ability to take orders
  • Took part in a final drill - in front of their parents

The course was held by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of the activities provided by the YMCA Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Inclusion & Support Panel (YISP) in Wisbech, which is funded by the Children's Fund.

Last month the YISP received high praise by professors at Newcastle University Centre for Family Studies, who found that of the 300 young people who have so far been involved with YISP, an amazing 84 per cent had not gone on to offend. It was also found that the young people were more confident and better socially equipped.

As part of this assessment, the Fire Service also received a special mention for its input in this successful scheme.

Watch Manager Murdoch said: "I think a major part of why this project seems to work is because we treat them as adults, with all the responsibility that this brings.

"We have a lot of fun, but we also expect them to be committed to the course and to maintain a certain level of discipline while they are here.

"We have been running this for three years now, but we never cease to be amazed by the enthusiasm and fun that these young people have while they are here.

"Once they return to their everyday lives, we hope they will retain their understanding of the Fire Service and what our job entails, and some might even think of joining up as a firefighter when they are older."