Students from the Chichester area have been among more than 100 youngsters who have graduated from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s FireBreak course.
FireBreak is an initiative that runs across the county throughout the year and is predominately aimed at young people aged between 12 and 14.
The course is designed to help boost confidence and influence students to become positive role models within their community.
Students spend five days at a fire station, working together to complete ladder and hose drills, as well as being taught fire and road safety knowledge and gaining vital life-saving HeartStart first aid training.
Last week, to round of a year of successful courses, 14 young people took on the tough challenge of completing FireBreak at Bognor Regis Fire Station.
Their time at the fire station culminated in a pass out parade where they performed drills that they had learnt to an audience of family and friends.
The parade was also attended by High Sheriff for West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard and assistant chief fire officer, Keiran Amos. Speaking at the event, he said: “All of the students have worked together to overcome some incredibly difficult challenges that they have faced this week and completed the course at an incredibly high standard.
“The enthusiasm that they have shown is absolutely commendable and I hope that the students continue to apply the skills that they have learnt over the last five days into their everyday lives.”
The students attend the following schools:
• Chichester High School
• The Academy, Selsey
• Ormiston Six Villages Academy
• The Littlehampton Academy
• Felpham Community College
• St Philip Howard Catholic School
• Chichester Free School
• Bourne Community College
• Littlegreen School
• Bishop Luffa School
