A scheme which allows young people to work with firefighters and encourages them to become positive role models has continued its trailblazing success in Angus.
The multi-agency initiative delivered the twelfth Fire Academy in Angus at Monikie Country Park, where a group of youngsters tackled a range of activities.
Fire Academy is a joint project between Angus Council’s community learning and development team, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and Tayside Council on Alcohol.
It aims to reduce fireraising and encourage the personal development of young people to become responsible citizens.
This year the Academy focused on personal safety and the potentially deadly consequences of vandalism.
SFRS’s local authority liaison officer, Watch Manager David McKenzie was heavily involved in the organisation of Fire Academy and said it had been another major success for all involved.
He said: “The Academy offers young people an opportunity to engage in a very specific programme aimed at supporting them in changing their attitudes to fire safety and to ultimately, evoke personal change around fire setting behaviour.
“The programme was based around the skills needed to be a firefighter and included items such as hose running, dam building, and experiencing road traffic collision extrication techniques, moving in smoke and darkness and extinguishing fires.
“The young people were supported by firefighters from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who mixed freely with the group and built relationships, which resulted in both students and firefighters gaining a mutual respect for each other.”
He added: “Another positive outcome of the event was the continued engagement with students from last year’s Fire Academy, who returned to mentor and support this year’s participants and were valued members of the team.”
The final passing out parade took place at Forfar Fire Station in front of an audience of proud parents and invited guests, including SFRS group manager for Angus, Billy McLintock and Angus Council leader, Iain Gaul.
