Students join Rural Fire Service ranks

Senior students from Warwick State High School clocked on at their local fire station for the first time last Thursday as they started training with the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
The innovative program will see 15 teenagers swap their school uniforms one day a week for the next 17 weeks as they work towards completion of a Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations).
The program is being rolled out statewide this year and is designed to provide students with a valuable vocational learning opportunity, as well as a much needed boost in junior volunteer numbers for the brigade.
To gain the nationally recognised certificate, each participant is required to successfully complete competency based theory and practical training in the areas of wildfire response, team work, community education, workplace health and safety, fire investigation, communications systems and pump operation.
On completion of the program, students will receive four points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Stanthorpe State High School is also participating in the program, with students halfway through the course.