South Yorkshire youngsters pass out after fire service course

A group of young people in Barnsley have taken part in a '˜passing out' event, after completing a five day course aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.

The 11 youngsters from Netherwood ALC and Kirk Balk Academy, aged 13-16, took part in the Achieving Respect and Confidence (ARC) project, a joint initiative between South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, South Yorkshire Police and other partner agencies. The project was funded by Barnsley South Area Council.

The ‘passing out’ event took place at Barnsley fire station and saw the young people carrying out displays in the station drill yard to start off the presentation. The event was attended by the youngster’s family and friends as well as local dignitaries.

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The project was aimed at highlighting the consequences of anti-social behaviour and to provide an intensive multi-agency work experience course, self-discipline, team spirit, fire safety awareness, life skills and values which will improve the life chances of the young people involved who have either offended, are at risk of offending or have been victims of crime.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Arson Intervention Officer Simon Brookes said: “The course was a great success for everyone involved, which was down to the hard work of the students and instructors. This was a joint initiative with partner agencies to encourage these young people to think about their behaviour and through discipline and teamwork, make positive choices towards improving their life chances.”