Teenage firefighters praised for effort

Teenage firefighters praised for effort

21 May 2014

FOURTEEN teenagers from Killyleagh were the centre of attention at a special passing out ceremony in the town last Friday.

They had just completed an innovative scheme spearheaded by the Fire and Rescue Service and some are now seriously considering pursuing careers as firefighters.

The teenagers, with the support of their parents, signed up for the Local Intervention through Fire Education (LIFE) scheme which involves the Fire and Rescue Service challenging them to undergo training similar to that of a trainee firefighter.

The Killyleagh youths were selected following their participation in a 12-week Friday night initiative at the Bridge Community Centre which significantly reduced anti-social behaviour problems in the town.

The community centre was the venue for a range of activities for young people organised by the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in association with local volunteers. The Killyleagh scheme was also one of the key planks of the town’s anti-social behaviour action plan.

Teenagers taking part in the LIFE scheme engaged with local firefighters who engaged them on the consequences of anti-social behaviour, hoax calls, car crime and attacks on emergency services.

Just a matter of days before last week’s passing out parade one of the teenagers, James Savage, alerted the emergency services after spotting a house on fire at the town’s harbour area.

Councillor Billy Walker said Fire and Rescue Service officers have praised the Killyleagh teenagers for the effort, commitment and enthusiasm they displayed during the week-long course.

“The boys and their parents should be very proud,” he continued. “Senior officers have told me the Killyleagh group was one of the best ever to take part in the LIFE scheme which says a lot about their characters.”

The local politician said one officer who watched the boys pass out last Friday described their behaviour as “outstanding and exemplary.”

Councillor Walker said the training course has had a major impact on a number of the teenagers who are now seriously considering a career as a full time fireman.

“Their participation in the LIFE scheme stems from the Friday night initiative at the Bridge Community Centre which was tremendously well supported by the young people of Killyleagh,” he said.

“Thanks for the success of the Friday night scheme go to Chris and Michelle Hagan, all the volunteers and representatives from a number of agencies, including the PSNI and Policing and Community Partnership, who came along to talk and interact with the young people.”

Councillor Walker added: “Upwards of 650 children took part in the initiative which is testament to the huge success it was and the positive impact it had on local teenagers.

“The 14 young people who signed up for the LIFE scheme are to be commended. All the reports suggest they excelled and we should be very proud of them and what they achieved. There is a very real prospect that many will in fact become future firefighters.”