Mari Ann Cassidy admitted she was apprehensive when she turned up at Shadwell Fire Station to take part in the Brigade’s Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme.
But by the end of the week, buoyed by confidence, the 14-year-old from Bethnal Green was full of enthusiasm for the course which is designed to boost the self esteem of those taking part by teaching them firefighting skills.
“I felt nervous because I didn’t really know what to expect. One of my friends had been on the course and she said it was good but hard,” said Mari.
During the week, under the supervision of real firefighters, youngsters carry out a number of fire brigade related activities. This includes the use of ladders, breathing apparatus, casualty rescue techniques, hose line practice and problem solving tasks – all of which are designed to improve motivation, confidence and team building skills.
Mari described how the 14 girls taking part had learned to put their differences aside and work together to complete the tasks they were given.
She said: “The first day no-one on the course was really bonding – everyone was quite shy and quiet and it was a bit rocky. But as time went on and people’s personalities came out everyone started clicking. But the end of the week people were getting on as a family.”
Mari added that she felt doing the course had made her a more mature person and taught her to respect people – qualities and lessons she will be able to take with her into the outside world.
“I think I have become more mature about things. I’ve learned to follow instructions properly and help other people out. All of the girls down there are my mates now. We might have little arguments but we can forget about it and move on.
“I’ve learned that if you give respect to the firefighters they will give it back to you. All the instructors were really helpful and we all got along together. I’ve learned not to give lip and that is something that I think I’ll take away from this course – not to talk back to my teachers and to respect them,” she said.
She also enjoyed the physical element of the course. “I’m not an active person and I think that doing this has made me more active and stronger. I’ve also overcome my fear of going up ladders!”
The LIFE programme is aimed at young people between the ages of 13 and 17 and is London Fire Brigade’s flagship youth engagement scheme.
Since it began in Tower Hamlets in 2002 around 4000 young people across the capital have benefited from the intensive week long courses and there are now nine LIFE Teams across the capital taking referrals from agencies and working with young people from most London boroughs.
