One pupil is shown how to use a hose by a firefighter at Great Holm Fire Station

31 July 2008

Ten young people learnt what it takes to be a firefighter in Milton Keynes yesterday.

It’s a joint school holiday initiative involving Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Peartree Bridge-based Platform 8-13.

Ten boys aged between eight and 10 spent the day at Great Holm Fire Station following on from a similar session they attended at the station in February.

They were shown the ropes by firefighters from Great Holm and members of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team.

Christine Duncan, community safety partnership manager for Milton Keynes, said: “It’s a chance for us to show young people some of the positive things they can do with their lives, and to pass on a number of important safety messages.

“The activities help them to learn about trust and teamwork from positive role models in the workforce.”

After a health and safety briefing, activities included a look at the equipment carried on fire appliances, a hose demonstration by Red Watch, an opportunity to run out a hose reel and aim a jet of water at a target, and an exercise in building a dam to collect water. The pupils were even taken through the station’s “hot fire” training facility, a purpose-built house, where they learnt important messages about safety and communication.