www.mawwfire.gov.uk
Youth Firefighter Association
Young Fire Fighters can work towards an award called the 'STAR' scheme which has been designed to give us credit for our activities, efforts and qualifications that include:
Most of our activities have now been analised by YFF instructors from across the Service and given a number of 'Stars'. Each of us are issued with a logbook to record our training-documents, activities, notes, handouts and importantly the number of Stars we've earned. Once we've collected the required numbers of Stars we receive an award.
We reckon that a person joining us at the age of 13 would get a bronze award after about 1-year's attendance and basic training. To earn a Silver award we must hold the Bronze award then pass most of the qualifications specified on the our training plan. To get the Gold award we have to gain the Silver and then carry out a load of charity work or
ther special event activities. None of these are easy tasks and we have to put in a lot of enthusiasm and hard work. Our instructors are always saying that 'these YFF's will know they'll have earned their awards when they receive them!". We think they are right. for once.
The awards we'll receive have been provided by the Arson Reduction Team (basically Police and Fire officers working together!) who are based at Morriston. They've paid for Bronze, Silver and Gold badges to be made using the winning entry of our YFF logo competition:
All YFF's who receive awards will have their photo shown in the Fire Service newsletter and they'll be put on this web-site. (Cool or what?)
One of our instructors- David Phillips who's been a YFF instructor for about five years produced the Star scheme. He told us- " A number of youths have passed through the Young Fire Fighter scheme in recent years and have left with just their memories. I thought it time we had a Service-wide scheme that was simple to administer, accessible to all and which would provide an incentive for our Young Fire Fighters to gain recognition for their attendance and endeavours and which hopefully will be of use to them when they start seeking future employment and careers. Ultimately the success of the scheme will depend on the diligence and enthusiasm of YFF instructors and the background support from people at all levels of the Service." A bit long winded but we agree!
Some Morriston YFF's have been awarded stars 'retrospectively' (that means 'looking back to the past') after our instructors checked attendance records and all of the other activities they'd been involved with over the past four years. As a result they've gained their Bronze awards and are working hard towards their Silvers.
- Squad drill- This teaches us how to line up smartly, march, shout orders and receive orders from the instructors in the same way as people in the army, navy and air-force. It helps develop confidence, discipline and team working.
- Ladder-work- We learn how to put up fire service ladders, how to climb up (ascend) and climb down (descend). We learn about the different parts of a ladder, the instructions and the correct safety techniques so we don't get hurt using the equipment.
- Hose and pump drills- We learn how to run out, under-run and make up different sizes of hose. We are taught how to connect hose to hydrants, pumps, branches, other hose and how to replace burst lengths, add lengths, remove lengths and haul it aloft.
- Knots & lines- We learn how to tie knots in lines to secure fire service equipment and to carry out rescues. We learn to tie knots in the light and with our eyes shut and in the darkness which is not easy but it s fun.
- Pump operation- We learn how to operate the pump at the back of a fire engine to supply water to the fire-ground. We have to learn about different water supplies such as hydrants, rivers, streams and EWS's (Emergency Water Supplies).
- First Aid- We are taught to deal with subjects like basic life support, unconscious casualties, treatment for burns, bleeding and bandaging and other matters. We are assessed by first aid instructors and receive first-aid certificates.
- Community Safety-We don't just learn on the drill yard but also in the classroom. We are taught about community safety issues such as the dangers of fire-works through the Safer Swansea Partnership BANG campaign, grass fires, home safety audits and much more.
- Breathing apparatus- Once we've completed basic training and we are tall and strong enough, we can learn about the breathing apparatus sets that fire-fighters wear to enter burning buildings so that they can breath in the poisonous smoke.
- Casualty Handling- We learn how to move injured people either on our own or as part of a team. We learn about their safety and our own safety so we don't injure ourselves whilst trying to help them.
- Search techniques- We learn how to move in smoke and darkness, which would be useful, if we were caught in a fire situation. We practice searching for casualties blindfolded and in buildings we are not familiar with which helps us develop out confidence and communication when we work as teams.
- Charity events- We undertake different activities to help others e.g. Sponsored walks and car washes.
- Special events- e.g. drills for medal ceremonies, representing the Fire Service at Eisteddfods.
- YFF competitions- There will be a competition between the different YFF groups to see who's the best at some of the things we've been trained in, such as pitching ladders, running out hose and tying knots. The winning team will receive an award but we'll be able to meet other YFF's from around the Service area.
- Instructors discretionary award- If we do something extra which is not particularly linked to YFF's such as assisting at a fete, or helping with a local community event, our instructors can award a 'discretionary' award for our efforts.
Most of our activities have now been analised by YFF instructors from across the Service and given a number of 'Stars'. Each of us are issued with a logbook to record our training-documents, activities, notes, handouts and importantly the number of Stars we've earned. Once we've collected the required numbers of Stars we receive an award.
- 100 Stars = Bronze award- presented by our YFF instructor
- 200 Stars = Silver award- presented by our County Commander
- 300 Stars = Gold award- presented by a 'Principal Officer'
We reckon that a person joining us at the age of 13 would get a bronze award after about 1-year's attendance and basic training. To earn a Silver award we must hold the Bronze award then pass most of the qualifications specified on the our training plan. To get the Gold award we have to gain the Silver and then carry out a load of charity work or
ther special event activities. None of these are easy tasks and we have to put in a lot of enthusiasm and hard work. Our instructors are always saying that 'these YFF's will know they'll have earned their awards when they receive them!". We think they are right. for once.
The awards we'll receive have been provided by the Arson Reduction Team (basically Police and Fire officers working together!) who are based at Morriston. They've paid for Bronze, Silver and Gold badges to be made using the winning entry of our YFF logo competition:
All YFF's who receive awards will have their photo shown in the Fire Service newsletter and they'll be put on this web-site. (Cool or what?)
One of our instructors- David Phillips who's been a YFF instructor for about five years produced the Star scheme. He told us- " A number of youths have passed through the Young Fire Fighter scheme in recent years and have left with just their memories. I thought it time we had a Service-wide scheme that was simple to administer, accessible to all and which would provide an incentive for our Young Fire Fighters to gain recognition for their attendance and endeavours and which hopefully will be of use to them when they start seeking future employment and careers. Ultimately the success of the scheme will depend on the diligence and enthusiasm of YFF instructors and the background support from people at all levels of the Service." A bit long winded but we agree!
Some Morriston YFF's have been awarded stars 'retrospectively' (that means 'looking back to the past') after our instructors checked attendance records and all of the other activities they'd been involved with over the past four years. As a result they've gained their Bronze awards and are working hard towards their Silvers.
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What is the Children’s University?
The Children’s University (CU) in Wales awards credits to children and young people from 5 to 19 who attend activities outside normal school hours. Working closely with families and carers, schools and communities, the CU rewards children and young people for taking part in sports, arts, IT and other activities they enjoy. Activities can be organized by schools, youth clubs, voluntary and other organizations.
The CU has three section
- Kids’ College: ages 5 to 8
- Children’s University: ages 9 to 13
- Youth University: ages 14 to 19 s
Children’s University Awards
Awards are based upon the amount of time children and young people spend on the activity and their age. The credits collected are added together and go towards the following awards:
- Kids’ College: Bronze award= 50 credits: Silver award= 75 credits: Gold award= 100 credits
- Children’s University: Bronze award= 100 credits: Silver award= 200 credits: Gold award= 400 credits
- Youth University: Bronze award= 150 credits: Silver award= 350 credits: Gold award= 600 credits
Some of the credits collected for each award must come from activities within a community contribution.
The CU encourages young people to…
- Believe that learning is a lifelong process,
- Become confident and independent learners,
- Have many interests,
- Use their free time to attend a wide variety of learning activities,
- Develop their skills and knowledge in a wide variety of areas.
Deborah Cooze the Children's University Development Worker based in Swansea has recently reviewed the Service’s Young Fire Fighter scheme so that our YFF’s may benefit from Youth University awards which closely resemble our own YFF Star scheme awards.
Further information on the Children’s University may be found at childrensuniversity.swansea@swansea.gov.uk
or at the site: www.childrensuniversityswansea.org
We are given two uniforms that are similar to the adult fire-fighters. Our 'undress' uniform that we wear to training is a navy-blue polo-shirt, fleece and trousers with black shoes or black trainers. When we go onto the drill-yard we wear a red fire-helmet with visor, fire-tunic, leggings, boots, gloves and safety spectacles. We've also been given a kit bag to carry all our kit in. Most of this uniform has been paid for by the Safer Swansea Partnership.
2007 BBC- Children in Need Appeal
On Friday 16th November 2007 over thirty Young Fire Fighters from the three Swansea branches combined to undertake a fundraising event for the 2007 BBC- Children in Need Appeal by climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest- 8,840 meters using two ladders. The event started at 12.30pm and finished at 5.15pm during which time members of the public came to watch and donated money into the collection bins provided. Visitors to the event were also able to view a number of community safety stands and displays which were provided to educate people on the dangers of fires and road accidents. The local newspaper "Swansea Evening Post" took photographs and the event was featured on BBC-Wales television. A small group of the YFF's were invited to the BBC studios in Carmarthen and were interviewed live at 9.30pm. So far the youngsters have raised over £3,200 and money is still coming in.
On Friday 16th November 2007 over thirty Young Fire Fighters from the three Swansea branches combined to undertake a fundraising event for the 2007 BBC- Children in Need Appeal by climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest- 8,840 meters using two ladders. The event started at 12.30pm and finished at 5.15pm during which time members of the public came to watch and donated money into the collection bins provided. Visitors to the event were also able to view a number of community safety stands and displays which were provided to educate people on the dangers of fires and road accidents. The local newspaper "Swansea Evening Post" took photographs and the event was featured on BBC-Wales television. A small group of the YFF's were invited to the BBC studios in Carmarthen and were interviewed live at 9.30pm. So far the youngsters have raised over £3,200 and money is still coming in.
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Practice for Children in Need |
More practice!! |
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