Fire Station Visit Helps Pupils up the Ladder to Career Success
Pupils from St Paul’s High had first-hand experience of the consequences of house fires and road accidents when they spent a week at Pollok Fire Safety Centre.
The teenagers were taking part in a unique work placement programme organised by Careers Scotland and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.
A group of 14 fourth and fifth year pupils spent last week working with fire officers, fire cadets and control room and support staff to find out more about careers in the industry and to experience the different aspects of the modern fire service.
The programme included demonstrations of a house fire rescue situation, the chance for the youngsters to take part in basic fire fighting drills using specialist equipment and visits from technical support and control room staff.
One of the highlights of the week was a simulated car crash, when a real car was crushed and fire fighters demonstrated techniques for cutting the vehicle to rescue casualties from inside.
Jamie Auld, 15, from Old Pollok, was one of the pupils who took part. He said:
"It has been really interesting for me because I’ve been interested in joining the fire service since I was a wee boy, when I used to walk past the fire station."
"Until we came here I didn’t realise just how much equipment they needed and I didn’t realise the fire brigade carried out water rescues either so there’s a lot more to it than I realised."
"I’ve really enjoyed being here and hopefully it will be good experience if I do join the fire brigade when I leave school."
The programme was a first for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Careers Scotland and was aimed at pupils with an interest in pursuing a career in fire fighting and pupils in need of extra support to develop their employability.
In addition to the fire service activities and demonstrations, the group also took part in a general careers advice session which covered areas such as interview techniques and how to draft an effective CV.
Fiona Fleming, Enhanced Resource Project Careers Adviser, said:
"We were delighted to be able to work with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue on this initiative as work experience is a very effective way of helping young people make decisions about what they want to do when they leave school."
"Some of the teenagers who took part had already expressed interest in the fire service but the programme also included general careers advice relevant to all industries, so there was something for everyone."
Careers Scotland is a national organisation which aims to help people in Scotland to make well-informed career decisions at different stages of their lives.
Paul McAtear, Fire Safety Centre Commander, said:
"The nature of our job and our workplace means we can’t normally offer work experience to young people but when Careers Scotland approached us we were keen to pilot this one-week course."
"The course has many different elements to it and is designed to give teenagers an overview of the fire service, standards required and the different job opportunities there are in the organisation."
"They also receive life skills training in both road and home fire safety during which we stress the importance of getting the fire service to carry out a home fire safety visit at your property."
For more information about Home Fire Safety Visits call 0800 0731 999.
22/01/08
