Cleveland Young Fire-fighters Association (YFA) was set up in 2002. It’s a scheme which is run by Cleveland Fire Brigade to give young people from all areas of the local community, the opportunity to develop personally and socially using the Fire Brigade as a positive role model.
The aims of the YFA is to promote the Fire Service to educate and increase awareness of arson, to highlight the consequences of hoax calls, as well as promoting fire safety in the home and in the community.
It offers all Young Fife fighters (YFF’s) the opportunity to undertake the Fire Service Youth Training Association accredited B-TEC development programme.
The YFA also assists Cleveland Fire Brigade to promote fire safety messages to their families, peer groups, as well as the general public.
After joining the YFA, the Young Fire-fighter’s benefit both mentally and physically, whilst promoting self discipline, community awareness and good citizenship.
The main way the YFF’s promote Brigade safety is attending high profile local events around the area, Steel Gala, Cleveland Show, Fire engine rally ( Preston Park ) to name a few.
As well as Redcar YFA there has more recently been another branch set up at Hartlepool, (2005) each branch has places for 24 young people, 12 boys and 12 girls. They are recruited at the age 13 – 14 and can stay with the association up to the age of 17.
Most Fire & Rescue Services around the UK have similar schemes set up, and every 2 years there is a national camp where all the YFF’s get together and take part in drill competitions which results in the winners representing the UK in a European competition.