Firefighters helping youngsters to turn LIFE around

The Local Intervention Fire Education course – known as LIFE – aims to help steer youths aged between 13 and 18 clear of crime, anti-social behaviour, bullying or truancy.

The course is run by local firefighters, acting as successful role models for nearly 100 participants so far across South Yorkshire.

Many have already built on the experience by improving their education attendance and applying to be firefighters.

Candidates for LIFE are put forward by local schools or Youth Offending Teams before taking the five-day course at their local fire station.

Eight young people attended Edlington fire station last week to learn basic firefighting techniques and other skills.

Crew manager Andy Kirwan, from the Community Safety Directorate, said: “LIFE brings these youths together in a new environment and rewards positive behaviour. But we also have a rigid code of conduct that the youths may not have experienced before.”