Killyleagh youngsters do battle in firefighter challenge

Killyleagh youngsters do battle in firefighter challenge

13 November 2013

THE young people of Killyleagh rose to the challenge in style as they faced the Ultimate Firefighter Challenge for the first time at the weekend.

More than 40 young people took on the challenge at the Frederick Street car park on Friday night.

Full time firefighters helped the young people don the fire uniform and helmets, and race against the clock to roll out and then roll back the hoses used in a typical fire situation by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Three teams competed against each other, and in the run-off for Ultimate

Firefighter local lad Andrew Osborne won, with a little bit of extra help from

his friends.

The biggest cheer of the night, though, was for five year-old Sam Drake who completed the challenge as under-age participants were allowed a separate run off.

Station commander Mark Smyth said they were “delighted” at the opportunity for community engagement.

“It is fantastic to see the young people enjoying the challenge of being a firefighter for the night and listening as we promoted a safety message,’’ said Mr Smyth.

Chris Hagan, who helped promote the event as part of the youth club activities for young people in the Killyleagh and Shrigley areas, said: “We want to thank the young people and the Fire Service for a fantastic night.

“It was a brilliant, fun way to get across a very important message. The young people really enjoyed it. We also appreciate the support from residents in the Frederick Street area of the town.’’

A question and answer session followed, with firefighters John Caughey, Martin Healy, Colin Dryden and Mark Smyth fielding questions from the teenagers.

And thanks to support from the Killyleagh Community Shop and Down Community Safety Partnership who treated the young people to drinks and snacks.