Youngsters from two North Lanarkshire secondary schools benefitted from their attendance at SFRS's Fire Reach course recently.The Fire Reach course operates throughout the whole school year and third year pupils from all North Lanarkshire Secondary Schools are invited, with Caldervale and St. Margarets attending in recent weeks. 

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Throughout their week-long attendance the pupils develop team, leadership and communication skills, develop knowledge and awareness of their community and develop an understanding about the contribution of SFRS and other agencies.

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Local Councillors Jim Logue and Tommy Morgan were both in attendance at the presentation ceremony that followed the week-long course. Councillor Morgan said: "The Fire Reach course is an excellent project for increasing awareness of the crucial tasks delivered by SFRS. I am delighted that so many young students have taken part and congratulate them upon their involvement".

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Airdrieonians Football Club Commercial Manager John Drysdale, along with local youngsters Chris O'Neil and Liam Coogans who have both made their way into the first-team picture recently, were also invited along.

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John Drysdale stated: "Airdrieonians FC was delighted to be asked to participate in the presentation, because we are keen to participate in our local community by adding profile to worthwhile activities. That value is further enhanced when guys like Chris and Liam can be seen as examples of how skills like teamwork and good discipline, as displayed by the school pupils on their course, are transferable and useful in the workplace".

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GM Paul Devlin, Head of Prevention and Prevention for North Lanarkshire, stated: "We are proud to be working so closely with the young people who will be the future leaders in North Lanarkshire and beyond. The Fire Reach course is a tested delivery model which provides the young people who are lucky enough to be nominated to attend the course the opportunity to challenge themselves mentally, physically and emotionally.

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"This course is funded through the North Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership and without the commitment of the local authority it wouldn't be possible to provide the number of courses SFRS currently do. Over the five days the young people cover teamwork, health and safety, first aid and they also experience the role of being a firefighter."