Chloe Brown named Cadet of the Year

Cadet Chloe Brown receives her Cadet of the Year certificate from Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Chloe Brown, 13, has been named Cadet of the Year.

Chloe is one of the young fire cadets who have grown in confidence and learnt life saving skills through a pioneering programme based at Whitworth Community High School.

The school was selected as one of just six schools to pilot the initiative in 2014, and a second programme began in September.

Under the direction of Firefighter John Hamer, from Bacup Fire Station, the school’s 13-strong cadet crew have learnt what it is like to be a firefighter and become more aware of dangers in the home.

Chloe said: “I now make sure the smoke alarm is checked in my house every week.

“Being a fire cadet has helped me to be more confident and I am now not as scared of speaking up in class and joining in. I have enjoyed everything that I have learnt.”

A special passing out parade was held at school when the young cadets were put through their paces in front of parents, teachers and governors.

Adam Middlebrook, 13, said: “On the day I was ‘number one’ and that meant that I was first in line and I had to shout out the orders to the other cadets and lead the drill.

“It was a bit scary because I had never done it before and I had to get it right because there were lots of people watching.”

After drill they also demonstrated techniques they had mastered. A scenario was set up in a Design Technology room, which had been filled with smoke.

Chloe helped to get the fire hoses out while Thomas Lomax, 12, assisted to search the smoke-filled building wearing breathing full kit and a gas mask.

Thomas said: “When we went inside I couldn’t see anything and it felt claustrophobic with the mask on.

“We had to feel our way round to try to find the casualty and also to check for danger. I had one hand of the wall while the other was checking around.”

When the casualty was located the dummy was taken out to the first aid pool, which had been set up by Adam and other cadets.

Over the last school year the cadets have learnt about the dangers of swimming in open water after meeting Becky Ramsey, whose teenage son Dylan drowned, they have helped raise money for the fire fighters charity at a number of events and they will also be visiting the Sea Cadets.

The students had to apply to become cadets and then each was interviewed by firefighters.

As they go into Year Nine they will also have the chance to become crew managers within the cadets when they can work towards a BTEC qualification.

Gill Middlemas, headteacher, said: “The passing out parade and drill was a great opportunity for our cadets to demonstrate what they have learnt, and for families to share in their success.

“Parents and staff are so proud of these young people who have committed themselves to learning skills which will benefit them, and their community, both now and in the future.”