 |
| Young people were awarded at a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre |
The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is an intensive five day course that teaches young people between the ages of 13 and 17 firefighting skills alongside real firefighters.
At a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre on Saturday (16 January), more than 80 young people were presented with a Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Award by London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson. Nine leader awards were also presented to internal staff and external partners that have made an outstanding contribution during the year.
Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25. One of the key funders of the LIFE scheme, the Jack Petchey Foundation has invested around £105,600 in the programme over the last three years. For every award it presents, the Charitable Trust makes a financial contribution to the LIFE scheme.
Young people who take part in the LIFE courses undertake a number of training exercises, including the use of breathing apparatus, casualty rescue, hose line practice and problem solving tasks - all of which are designed to improve motivation, self-esteem, confidence and team building skills.
"The LIFE programme has made a positive difference to all these young people and they should be very proud of their achievements" |
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "Since it started in 2002 the Brigade's LIFE scheme has helped to put the lives of thousands of young Londoners on the right track. Everyone who has received an award has proved to their trainers, parents, carers, teachers, and most importantly to themselves, that they have benefited from and made an outstanding contribution to the LIFE course they attended."
Deputy Chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Cllr Bertha Joseph who also attended the ceremony added: "The LIFE programme has made a positive difference to all these young people and they should be very proud of their achievements. Through their performances on the course they have demonstrated the motivation and sense of social responsibility that will hopefully make a wide range of opportunities available to them in the future."
Young people from the following LIFE teams received awards: Bexley; Brent; Camden: Tower Hamlets: Newham: Barking, Dagenham and Havering: Southwark and Lambeth: Sutton, Merton and Kingston.
