Fire cadets do Whitworth Community High School proud

Cadet of the year Leyton Brame receives his award from Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Colin Crawforth

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Young fire cadets at Whitworth Community High School put on a display for their parents as they successfully ‘passed out’.

The cadet scheme is run in conjunction with firefighters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and all participants get to experience what life is like as a member of the emergency service.

Four special awards were handed out to: crew manager of the year Alysha Quigley; cadet of the year Leyton Brame; volunteer of the year Callum Atkinson and most improved cadet Kelly-Jean Durkin.

Year 8 students have the opportunity to remain as cadets for a second year if they are picked to step up as crew managers.

Callum, 14, said: “My role as a crew manager was to look after the cadets to help to make sure they were learning to the best of their ability.

“I had to help them to keep going and make sure they gave everything a try and provide encouragement.

“There were different challenges along the way, but I think I met them well. I never saw my role as a chore and it was something I wanted to do.”

This year 11 Year 8s and Year 9s were selected with four older students becoming crew managers.

Both Callum and Leyton said they enjoyed cutting open a vehicle and putting out fires.

Leyton said: “We got to go to different places and at the training centre we got to put out different types of fire. I used a powder extinguisher to put out a fire in a pit.

“We found out about the different jobs in a fire station and what is on a fire appliance.”

Leyton would like to be a pilot and hopes to join the RAF whereas Callum is interested in possibly becoming a firefighter.

Leyton added: “Being a cadet has built up my confidence. Before I was quite scared and a little bit nervous and now I feel able to deal with situations.”

He hopes to be selected to be a crew manager next year.