Students learn new skills to successfully finish fire service course

They ended an intensive week-long FireBreak course with a fire drill and proud demonstration of their new skills in front of their family and friends.

The pupils from Bognor and Chichester, aged between 12 and 14, were chosen for the course to become positive role models among their peers and within their communities.

Watch manager Angela Spencer-Smith led the course. She said: “The fire service runs on a culture of teamwork, respect and working really hard for each other.

“We pack those values into all the activities we do in FireBreak. The students can be very proud of their achievements.”

The students came from schools such as St Philip Catholic High School, The Regis School, Felpham Community College and Ormiston Six Villages Academy.

They attended the West Meads Drive station to work with firefighters on a disciplined and structured programme.

These combined classroom-based activities and practical training, such as fire service hose and ladder drills designed to promote teamwork, social awareness and self-discipline, and to reduce negative influences.