Students taking 'lifesaving' firefighter training

Students in Devon are preparing to take part in firefighter training to learn "essential lifesaving skills".

A dozen students aged between 12 and 14 have been recruited to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's Phoenix programme - which aims to prevent fire-setting and serious violence.

The service said the programme would help foster confidence, physical fitness and safety awareness in the young people.

Jonathan Evans, programme lead, said: "We know it works and makes a lasting impact on the programme attendants' lives as we have received lots of feedback from people who have taken part, telling us that it helped them to find focus at a time when they really needed it."

Since its inception in the early 2000s, the Phoenix Programme has delivered more than 150 courses to about 1,500 young people, the service said.

Mr Evans, education programme officer and firefighter, said he hoped participants would feel encouraged to become "proactive and confident" community members.

Students on the programme are from schools including Marine Academy, Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, Millbay Academy and UTC Plymouth.

Fire stations involved include Plympton and nearby Camel’s Head and Crownhill.

Participants will complete a range of activities from squad drills, pumps and hose drills, safe use of breathing apparatus and learning about safety on the roads, the service said.

The week will conclude with basketball training with the Plymouth Raiders and a passing out parade, it added.

The Phoenix Programme in Plymouth has been funded by both Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Plymouth City Council/Sport England.

The force said it hoped extra funding would lead to the programme's expansion into new towns and cities in 2025, including Barnstaple, Bridgwater, Taunton, and Exeter.

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