Seven county councillors pitched in with funding from their locality budgets to ensure Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s popular LiFE Scheme for young people went ahead in St Albans.

Cllr Chris White (St Albans Central) gave £1,000 towards the course at St Albans Community Fire Station; Cllr Martin Frearson (St Albans South), Cllr Aislinn Lee (St Stephens), Cllr Rob Prowse (St Albans East) and Cllr Allan Witherick (St Albans North) each gave £500; Cllr Teresa Heritage (Harpenden South West) gave £450 and Cllr Maxine Crawley (St Albans Rural) £200.

Nine teenagers joined the five-day course last month, which is designed to steer them away from anti-social behaviour and teach respect, boundaries and discipline.

During the week they:
• took part in breathing apparatus training
• practiced hose running skills
• learned to use the correct method to hold a hose under pressure
• learned to ascend and descend a ladder safely and with confidence
• learned to make an initial assessment of an accident and demonstrate the ability to place a casualty in the recovery position.

They were also given responsibility for a fire engine, its equipment and their own personal protective equipment and the week rounded off with a pass-out parade at the station where the young people showed off their new skills in front of their families and friends.

Young people are referred to the LiFE course by Youth Connexions, Youth Offending Teams, schools, parents, the Police, the Fire and Rescue Service and housing authorities. It is funded by grants from Hertfordshire County Council, district councils and various charitable organisations.