A total of 16 children will learn the rudiments of firefighting over the next four weeks when they attend the Barbados Fire Service's Junior Fire Cadet Programme which starts today.
It will be held at the Barbados Fire Service Headquarters, Probyn Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Now in its sixth year, the programme is designed to promote good work habits, build positive attitudes in the participants, expose them to fire service subjects and activities and develop a cadre of persons who can help with fire service community activities.
Chief Fire Officer Chesterfield Mayers described it as a thorough training programme consisting of practical and classroom exercises and said it "should not be interpreted as a leisure or casual vacation experience".
He said the cadets would be taught the proper techniques for handling and working with nozzles, fire hoses and other fittings. They will also learn about the chemistry of combustion, water safety, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fire prevention, fire protection, and the organisational structure of the Fire Service.
Mayers added that the classroom exercises and training sessions were geared towards showing the cadets the importance of teamwork, goal setting and respect for themselves and the community.
"It is hoped that each cadet will leave this programme with a better sense of responsibility and that he will be more accountable for his own actions within the family unit and in the community.
"We also hope that by exposing these children to the skills of firefighters and the rules employees must follow to achieve success, they will have a better idea of where they fit into today's world with their future goals," he said.
The programme is being sponsored by Roberts Manufacturing Company Limited, American Life Insurance Company, the Pine Hill Dairy and Courts Barbados Limited. (BGIS)
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