STUDENTS in the Skipton area took part in a special week of learning about how to deal with fires recently.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service ran a ‘Local Intervention Fire Education’ (LIFE) course at Skipton Fire Station designed to promote teamwork, get young people to re-evaluate their values, and learn new skills. Craven Community Safety Partnership worked closely with the Service to identify suitable candidates who would benefit the most from it.

Eight students were selected and throughout the week learned various skills such as how to roll hose out and get a jet to work, how to safely climb ladders, first aid, how to wear and work in breathing apparatus which requires good communication between the teams and how to put it all together in combined training drills.

All the students proved that they could listen to instructions and that they were not afraid to try new things. During the course the students learnt basic life support skills during a first aid session and also learnt how actions have consequences during a thought provoking discussion with a community fire officer and a police youth worker.

Watch Manager Adele Kendall said: “All the students did very well and should be very proud of themselves for attending and successfully completing the course, not all students pass the course so these eight have done exceptionally well. They were a joy to work with all week and all the instructors are very proud of them and wish them well for their future.”

The course was funded by the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I would like to congratulate all the students who have completed such a worthwhile course. LIFE courses encourage young people to adopt new values, learn about the consequences of anti-social behaviour and work co-operatively with others. The scheme has the potential to really turn young lives around, helping those involved see a bright future for themselves

“From day one, they learn discipline, the consequences of their actions and techniques such as problem solving. It’s a mixture of hard work and great fun and the results can be incredibly positive.”

“I’m pleased to see another successful project that has been supported by my Community Fund, an initiative which empowers local people to identify a community safety issue in their area, propose a solution and then receive the financial backing to see it through to fruition.”

Further information about the LIFE course can be found at www.northyorksfire.gov.uk