Students from Whitworth Community High School become fire cadets

From front left: Rebecca Harrison, Lee Hall, Jack Marshall, Lucas Brame, from back left, Jack Reeves, Harry Wakefield, Holly Timmins, Matthew Smith, Max Marshall

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Fire cadets from Whitworth Community High School got the chance to learn more about the job of firefighter at a special event held at the training centre in Chorley.

Whitworth is one of six pilot projects across Lancashire where students are learning more about the emergency service in structured two-hour weekly sessions.

Three of the cadets groups went to the training centre and got to experience a range of activities and tasks including using extinguishers to put out fires, cutting a car open and rescuing a casualty.

At Whitworth nine students from Year 9 attended the enrichment day and Lee Hall, 14, said: “It made us realise how difficult the job of a firefighter is.”
Rebecca Harrison, 14, said: “At the centre, we got to cut open a car and it was really good fun. We smashed a window and then we cut the roof off.”

By the time the students had finished the vehicle resembled a convertible.
“Cadets is a good thing to be involved with,” said Harry Wakefield, 14. “It is good to put down on your CV and it opens up a range of careers within the emergency services.

“At the centre we also did a rat run where we worked in a team of three in a dark confined space where we had to get over obstacles and rescue a casualty. We had to work as a team.”

They also learnt what type of extinguishers are used for the different types of fires, saw a chip pan fire demonstration and what not to do and were safely shown what happens to a fire when there is a back draft.

Team leader is fire safety enforcement officer Jenny Nangle. She said: “I have seen a cadet grow from a timid individual who didn't have the self-confidence to try something to somebody who isn't afraid of having a go.”

The weekly sessions are held in school and at Bacup Fire Station.

Lucas Brame, 14, said: “Through the cadets we have learnt first aid, CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

“Before we finish there will also be a passing out parade when our parents will be invited.”
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is looking to continue the pilot in Whitworth for a further year and four of this year’s participants will be chosen to become crew managers and help to deliver the programme to next year’s Year 8 students.