Page 171 - Archived Back Issues

FIREFIGHTERS NEWS
From Tyne and Weir Fire and Rescue Service
Fire and rescue service helps David to turn his life around
David Wood’s life has been turned around after completing the 12-week Princes Trust Team Programme ran by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
David, aged 20 from Thorney Close, Sunderland joined the course having had a troubled life using alcohol and drugs. The course gives young people the opportunity to meet new friends, try out new skills, get a taste of the workplace and plan for the future. It includes a team building residential, a community fundraising project, a work placement, CV writing skills, interview technique training and a team challenge involving helping others in the local community. David completed his programme at Farringdon Community Fire Station. His presentation speech was so emotive and inspiring that it has been chosen to be published on the National Prince’s Trust website this week.
Princes Trust Team Leader, Alan D’Arcy, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: “David has been truly inspirational and he has shown that you really can turn your life around. We wish him all the best for the future.
If you are aged 16 to 25 and unemployed and would like to find out more about the course, please contact Princes Trust Team Leader Alan D’Arcy on 01914441175 or go to www.twfire.gov.uk.
Kent Firefighting Museum to Re-Open
When the museum at Kent Fire & Rescue Service HQ (Tovil – Maidstone) closed and went into storage in 2011, the future of the collection was uncertain. But a Stakeholder Group of former volunteers and supporters of the museum was formed to consider options for the future. After much hard work, arrangements have been made to occupy new premises and a charity has been established to run the museum. The new charity is called the Kent Firefighting Museum. The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Blackstone has agreed to be the Patron. A Friends Association has also been formed.
The main museum site open to the public will be at the Woodlands Garden Centre at Ash Lane, Ash, near West Kingsdown, not far from Brands Hatch. The museum will also use the former Chatham Fire Station as a storage and maintenance site, with some access by the public by appointment.
Commenting on progress to date with the charity and Friends, Chairman of Trustees and former Chief Fire Officer of Kent, Jeremy Beech said: “We have a team at The Woodlands and we would be delighted to welcome anyone with an interest in fire service history to become a volunteer. Volunteers will be our “game makers” and will supervise visitors and hopefully have a very enjoyable time being involved in developing the museum as a visitor attraction and a learning resource. We also need as many members of the Friends as possible. So even if you are unable to enrol as volunteers, we hope that there will be a large take-up of membership of the Friends to help us with our running costs.
Mr Beech also thanked KFRS for the support which has been given to the new charity – he hoped that the Museum would, in turn, try to support the Service by promoting fire safety generally and other key initiatives.”
The formal opening of the museum by Baroness Blackstone took place on Saturday, August 30, 2014. It was a fun day full of activities and special exhibits to mark this important occasion.
The web site is:
www.kentfirefightingmuseum.org.uk Facebook: Kent Firefighting Museum
David Wood presented with his certificate from Chief Fire Officer Tom Capeling
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