Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 28/04/2009 15:37

***Media Opportunity***

Friday 1 May, 1.45pm

Ten male year 8 students from Pencalenick School will be ‘passing out’ this Friday at Truro Fire Station. The official passing out parade is to commemorate the work the students have completed this week on ‘The Phoenix Project’.

The Phoenix Project has been run by the Brigade since 2002 and enhances young people’s self-confidence, communication skills and community spirit.

Tim Cocks, Phoenix Project Manager said: “The fire brigade commits itself to developing skills for every child and these young people from Pencalenick School have shown great enthusiasm participating in all aspects of the course. We continue to use the Phoenix Project to invest in young people across Cornwall using our five day courses. The fire service is able to use its reputation and position of authority and respect within the community to hone young people’s team work, communication and leadership skills. The students from Pencalenick have worked extremely hard to succeed and gain their Phoenix Project certificate and ASDAN qualification.”

The Phoenix Project is a Cornwall wide initiative geared towards students between the ages of 13 -17. To gain their certificates the students were given training in hose running, marching, wearing breathing apparatus (BA), life skills and problem solving with the aim of building confidence and self esteem, raise aspirations and improve teamwork and communication skills.

“It’s great to see yet more young people learn not only how to become better communicators and leaders but to learn a very important fire safety message at the same time. Initiatives such as Phoenix and Supporting Community Values help us to achieve safer communities from the ground up, which is the principal aim of the service.” said Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7399