Firefighting for children & young people

During the course, you’ll take on many different tasks that will develop your team-working and communication skills as well as gaining awareness of your local community and how you can contribute to it.

Hear what some of our past members have said about the experience:

“While on residential, we took part in a variety of outdoor activities which included rock climbing, zip wire, archery and raft building. Some members of the team had different fears to overcome so as a team we helped to encourage them.” - Shania

“This made me confident and helped me make new friends who I will keep in contact with now that the course is finished...all in all, we have had an unbelievable experience, and this course has helped us to grow and develop.” - Kieran

More than 70% of our unemployed participants go on to jobs, training or education within three months of completing the course.

Over the 12 weeks you can:

• Make friends
• Uncover hidden talents
• Develop confidence
• Gain team-working skills
• Develop communication skills
• Gain nationally recognised qualifications including
  • Prince’s Trust Certification in Employment
  • Team Work and Community Skills
  • Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Drug & Alcohol Awareness & Sexual Health Awareness Training

If you’re aged between 16 and 25 then yes, this 12-week course is for you!

The programme won’t affect your Job Seekers Allowance and can be a great way to build the skills and confidence you need to apply for jobs. 

Week 1 
Getting to know each other through team building activities

Week 2 
Residential, including outdoor adventure activities

Week 3 
Fire Safety, First Aid and Drug & Alcohol Awareness Training

Week 4 
Planning for Community Project 

Weeks 5 & 6 
Community Project (helping improve the area we live in)

Weeks 7 & 8 
Work Placements (we work with you to arrange a placement in an area of work that you’re interested in)

Week 9 
Employability Training Week (Interview skills, help with filling out applications forms and CV’s)

Weeks 10 & 11 
Team Challenge (helping members of the community who really it)

Week 12 
Final Team Presentation (a celebration of all the team’s achievements)

You should consider joining if you want to:

• have fun
• make new friends
• develop knowledge and skills valuable for any future career

The association also provides great opportunities for young people who might want to develop their skills and understanding of the fire and rescue service, perhaps because they are interested in a future career as a firefighter.

As a cadet at young firefighters you will learn about the Fire and Rescue Service, including key practical skills such as hose running, pump operation and ladder drills. There is also focus on essential equipment such as road traffic collision rescue tools and breathing apparatus.

You'll get the opportunity to form lasting friendships, build teamwork, leadership and communication skills and to develop your skills and experience into lasting memories. 

You'll be given the opportunity to work towards Northumberland's fire cadet award and to apply and progress through the ranks of fire cadets. 

Community activities
These can include beach cleaning, fundraising, attending fetes and fairs to provide safety information, and completing home fire safety checks.

Social events
Young firefighters also get plenty of opportunities to attend social events such as ice skating, bowling and team building events. 

Competitions
The bi-annual drill competition gives young firefighters the chance to showcase their skills and work as teams to compete in a series of firefighting drills, with the chance to become the annual drill competition champions.
 

Alnwick, Berwick, Hexham, Pegswood, Rothbury, Wooler and West Hartford currently have young fire association branches.

• Click here to find your local station.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a young firefighter? Then get in touch!

Our branches are restricted to 14 cadets per branch. To add your name to the waiting list for a branch you can:

• download and complete our recruitment forms here, or
• complete our online form and we will post the recruitment information out to you, or
• contact the community safety department on 01670 621 158 for more information, or
• you can find us on Facebook @NorthumberlandYFA