By Regina Selman
Twenty-two young people involved in the Barbados Fire Service (BFS) Training Unit's Junior Fire Cadet programme, have been encouraged to take a leading role in spreading the message of fire safety.
The youngsters, in keeping with their fearless character, braved both the showers and drizzles that drenched the island on Thursday to have their special day at the Arch Hall Fire Station in St. Thomas. Chief Fire Officer, Chesterfield Mayers, in addressing the graduating class, encouraged the youths not to forsake the discipline and team work that they had learnt throughout the programme, but to share this knowledge with others, while seeking to continue their training in other areas.
In speaking of the programme, he noted that the BFS was currently hoping to build a cadre of young people, upon which the service could call at any time. This was all part of a strategic plan for Barbados, he said. According to Mayers, the service once depended on the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, but decided to take a different approach of late, by advertising the programme by way of the Government Information Service, and a good response was the result. Noting that other youth in children homes across Barbados are often overlooked, he stated that the service will be looking to invite such young persons to the programme next year. The juniors involved in the programme can also look forward to having a unique uniform as well by that time. Mayers then called on members of corporate Barbados to help more with the programme, which has helped a steady number of youths to date.
Meanwhile, the youthful fire cadets had to cut short their fire drill displays, which included a four-man hose and hydrant drill and a rescue scenario, due to the weather. They, however, roused the audience with a special drama piece about HIV/AIDS, in which one of the two females in the programme had a hard decision to make on whether to accept or decline the propositioning of a smooth talking male who pleaded with her to just "hold her hand". It was such a piece, coupled with many poems and speeches, that showed the versatility and well-rounded nature of the cadets.
Receiving the award for Best Cadet was Dario Bowen. He would also go on to win three other awards, including Best At Squad Drill, Best At Deportment and Best At Hose & Hydrant. In speaking on the behalf of his peers, Bowen had high praise for the programme, which worked in conjunction with the Barbados Coast Guard to teach fire and water safety, but which also taught speaking skills and which gave the cadets some insight on possible career choices. He, too, encouraged the youngsters to continue on a positive path and to seek after further knowledge, while noting that "knowledge is not what you can remember, but what you cannot forget".
The programme, which commenced on July 17, was facilitated by Training Officer Tyrone Trotman and his team, and supported by both senior and junior members of the Fire Service, parents, guardians and other well-wishers, who all turned out for the big day. |