Changes are on the cards for the Barbados Fire Service' cadet training programme for young people.
News of this came yesterday at the official launch of the Junior Fire Cadet Programme 2006 at the Arch Hall Fire Station.
Fire Officer Errol Maynard said the Service was "considering changing the name of the programme from the Junior Fire Cadet Programme to the Barbados Fire Service Cadet Programme".
He said this was "because we are looking at having the senior cadets, those who would have just stepped out of school age to encourage those persons, now they will be probably 17 and becoming adults, to still keep that relationship with the department".
"So we will allow them to come in probably on Saturday mornings for some lectures and some drills just to keep the skills up to date, that they in turn could go into the community and help spread the information on fire safety and safety at home and in the workplace (or) wherever. Also these persons can also be used to help at things like parent teachers association meetings to give lectures and also to give guidance," Maynard explained.
"We want to let you know that the small staff of the Fire Service cannot do it all but we really need everyone in the community to assist because basically we have too many house fires, too many injuries, too many unneccessary lost of life. So keep your ears in tune and I am sure before the next junior fire cadet programme starts you will hear more about the senior aspect of it," he added.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Anthony Blackman said the cadet programme, now in its sixth year and with 22 participants this year, continued to expand.
"As the programme grows adjustments are being made to respond to the needs and the changes which arise along the way. We have moved from a three week programme to a four week programme and this year for the first time to a six weeks programme. We have improved from the mere firefighting elements to first aid and CPR, with water safety foot drill and this year for the first time a junior cadet camp at the Alleyne School in St. Andrew," the official stated.
Blackman said the initiative was an indication the Service still had confidence in the young population, some of which found itself associated with deviance, violence and low tolerance.
"And the fear is that if we do not do something soon we will lose a generation of youngsters which can seriously impact productive capacity of this developing state. There has been a stunningly loud call from concern sectors in this island. The Barbados Fire Service has heard and answered the call in various ways. There is constant contact with children through school programmes, and our flag ship programme the Junior Fire Cadet Programme," according to him.
"All of this effort is to show that we still have faith in our young population, and feel certain that if given the correct guidance they can contribute to the goals and development of the overall Barbadian society. We feel that the influence this organisation can bring into these lives of these youngsters can have a positive and life changing effect on them. If they embrace the influence and follow the instruction it will add value discipline and the right focus for the life ahead of them, not to mention the impact on their homes and communities," he also noted.
Course facilitator Fire Officer Marlon Small, said the cadet programme generally "seeks to enhance the personal and career development of its participants by teaching them teamwork, presentation skills, commitment, confidence and leadership, along with some of the basic fundamental of fire fighting, such as communications, CPR, fire behaviour, squad drill, ropes and knots, portable extinguishers, fire prevention, and hose and hydrant drills. |