‘An amazing wee team’: our latest hardworking Fireskills graduates

Nine young people are the latest to have graduated from Fireskills, a challenging 10-week programme aimed at preparing young people for action in their communities.
 
This year’s course in Orkney has been a partnership between Scottish Fire and Rescue and the Council’s Community Learning, Development and Employability service (CLDE) and Police Scotland.
 
The Fireskills Award is delivered in Orkney by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel from the Stromness and Kirkwall stations, alongside youth workers from the Council who help them evidence their learning. 

Watch this video of the bairns in action and read more about their achievements below.

 
This is the fifth year the course has run in Kirkwall, with several years of it being run in Orkney overall. 
 
The Council’s Youth Services team, part of the wider CLDE service, supported and encouraged the young people throughout – working with KGS and Stromness Academy to recruit young people to the course.

Participants undertook firefighting and rescue skills training in the drill yards at the Kirkwall fire station, and also visited Police Scotland HQ in Kirkwall. 
 
Fireskills is a unique learning experience, developing core employability skills such as leadership, team building, and self discipline - alongside practical skills such as and first aid, health and safety, and manual handling. 
 
Specific fire and rescue skills explored includes working with ladders and in small and dark spaces, community fire safety, how to rescue a casualty from a car involved in a collision and emergency first aid, search and rescue of casualty in a building, and safe and appropriate use of equipment including PPE and breathing apparatus. 
 
Young people who successfully complete Fireskills also receive a Dynamic Youth Award or put this towards their Bronze Youth Achievement Award – both SCQF accredited (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) at levels 3 and 4 respectively. This year’s cohort included a young person working towards their Silver Youth Achievement Award, which was a first for Fireskills and SCQF level 5. 
 
This comprehensive programme is designed to instil SFRS values and practical skills, covers a spectrum ranging from teamwork to crucial life saving techniques. 
 
Throughout the course, young people immerse themselves in a transformative journey, not only acquiring firefighting skills but also honing in on respect, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. It is the same holistic approach taken when preparing anyone for the demanding and crucial role of a firefighter. 
 
The invaluable knowledge gained is not only essential for their roles as potential future firefighters, but something they can carry forward to their communities in everyday life. 

Reaching the end of the Fireskills course is a testament to the commitment of individuals who take part – and requires real tenacity says SFRS Firefighter Jonathan Shearer who led Fireskills 2025 in Orkney:

“From week one to week ten, watching the bairns grow has been nothing short of amazing.

“They have overcome the initial fears of handling equipment, navigating confined spaces and completing drills. 
 
“Day by day they’ve tackled those challenges head on with dedication. Along the way they formed strong friendships and learned the importance of teamwork.

“It’s this hands-on, firefighter led approach that Fireskills is built on, combining safety, discipline, and real life skills with leadership, problem solving and community spirit.

“Their dedication has been incredible, showing up every session ready to learn, and support one another. By week ten they were working as a unit, demonstrating life saving techniques, and presenting with pride and professionalism to families and community members.” (Jonathan Shearer, SFRS Firefighter and Fireskills 2025 Leader)

Lianne Taylor, Area Youth & Family Learning Worker with the Council’s Community Learning & Development and Employability team, has been supporting this year’s cohort. 
 
“This year’s group has been amazing – despite being among the most relaxed and quiet young people I’ve seen tackle this course, they are focused and hardworking. 
 
“They’ve each picked up skills incredibly quickly, and have been applying them with ease in different situations. 
 
“I am always in awe of the young people who take up this challenge – they’ve often have never met before, but they dive straight in and make friends quickly, and support and encourage each other to work as an amazing wee team.” 
 
Gwenda Shearer is Chair of Orkney Islands Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee: “Working together, Fireskills provides a fantastic platform for young people to boost their confidence and employability, and learn skills to carry themselves and their communities through challenging times. Huge thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved for the ongoing success of the programme, and the achievement of these nine individuals.”
 
You can find out more about Dynamic Youth awards here:
https://www.awardsnetwork.org/awards/youth-scotland/dynamic-youth-awards
 
Anyone interested in Fireskills should contact the Council’s Youth Services team on cld@orkney.gov.uk
 
Pictured left to right in the photo at the top of this page are:
Back : Henrik Riley, Emmie Brooks, Ryan Logie, Elin Donaldson 
Kneeling : Roxanne Pavitt, Lewis Kerr, Samuel Kenyon, Bailey Phillips 
With SFRS reps (Left to right) 
CC Phil Morrison, CC Alan Cursiter, FF Billy Hoque, FF John Phillips, FF Jonathan Shearer 
Missing from pic but who also led, FF Alana Gordon, FF Darren Muir and Community Safety Advocate Mick Harcus.