Berkshire Teens Blaze a Trail as They Complete Young Firefighters Course!
A group of 44 young people across Berkshire have smashed the 36-week Young Firefighters programme, run by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS). Designed for 12 to 16-year-olds, the course arms them with practical firefighting skills and valuable career-boosting knowledge.
Building Skills and Confidence
The rigorous course, held at fire stations in Crowthorne, Maidenhead, Whitley Wood, and Pangbourne, tests cadets with hose drills, breathing apparatus training, and fire safety sessions. RBFRS instructors ensure they’re well prepared, while team-building activities boost their confidence and encourage positive thinking.
Young Firefighters isn’t just about firefighting. It’s a vital part of RBFRS’s mission to keep Royal Berkshire safe and support young people’s ambitions, health, and wellbeing. Councillor Christine Bateson said, “The Young Firefighters scheme is designed to help raise the aspirations, attainment and pathways to employability for young people.”
Inspiration for the Future
Cadet Tilly Pink-Costello from Maidenhead praised the programme: “All the instructors are really supportive and kind. I’ve learnt so many new skills and made new friends. It’s inspired me to want to become a firefighter when I’m older.”
The course ended with a proud passing-out parade at RBFRS’ Whitley Wood Training Centre, where cadets showcased their new skills to beaming parents and received certificates from Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ferguson.
Next Batch Kicking Off Soon
With the next programme launching this September, RBFRS is already recruiting. Sessions run Wednesday evenings (7-9pm) at Whitley Wood and Crowthorne, and Thursday evenings (7-9pm) at Maidenhead and Newbury. This year, Newbury hosts the course, with plans to switch to Hungerford next term.
Nearly 500 young people have already benefited from Young Firefighters, and RBFRS aims to grow that number, shaping the firefighters – and confident citizens – of tomorrow.
