GIRLS TO THE RESCUE

For the last six weeks, eight girls from Westside School have been learning about the Defence Fire and Rescue Service as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. But they haven't spent all this time in the classroom - they have been fighting (simulated) fires, wearing breathing apparatus and undertaking practical training in rescue methods and all this was done, after school, at the RAF Gibraltar Fire Station.

After successfully passing an end-of-course exam, the girls were presented with certificates by Chief Fire Officer Alec Button.

The girls agreed that the best part of the course was wearing breathing apparatus when, in complete darkness they had to find their way round the 'Fire House' - 'although it was a bit scary' added Adrianne Ferrar. 'It was also good when we used all the fire extinguishers on the simulated fire,' added Cindy Rodriguez.

And the worst part? 'Definitely when we had to roll up all the hoses - it was so tiring,' said Arabella Smith. 'And tourists were photographing us the whole time we were doing it!'

The group were keen to stress that the instructor and all the other firefighters were very good to them - 'and their lessons were all very well organised.'

'We certainly learned how to dress in the Personal Protective Equipment in very quick time,' claimed Amy Balloqui and both Kylie Valarino and Gabriella Kirkby wanted to recommend it to other students as they had enjoyed the course so much.

Sub-Officer Louis Sivers, who had taught the course, saw it as a real challenge. 'I've had lots of experience of training our firefighters but this was very different,' said Louis. 'However, the girls made it easy for me. They were very well disciplined and keen to learn. They showed so much enthusiasm that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.'

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