Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 13/10/2010 17:27

Students from Falmouth School will ‘pass out’ on Wednesday 13 October at Falmouth Community Fire Station. The official passing out parade will celebrate the work the students have completed during a 12 month mentoring programme and the successful conclusion of a five day Phoenix Project course.

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

Tim Cocks, Phoenix Project Manager said: “Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service commits itself to developing skills for every child and these young people from Falmouth School have shown great enthusiasm participating in all aspects of the programme. We continue to use the Phoenix Project to invest in young people across Cornwall. 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 Falmouth School have worked extremely hard to succeed and gain their ASDAN certificate for improving their own learning and performance.”

The Phoenix Project is a Cornwall wide initiative geared towards students between the ages of 13 -17. To gain their certificates the students are 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 Des Tidbury.

The Project is delivered throughout Cornwall. For more information please contact Tim Cocks at Falmouth Fire Station 01326 212412.