Youth impress on emergency services course

The graduates of the 2014 Youth in Emergency Services course. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua's youth have had a chance to see what it takes to join the emergency services with the second running of the Youth in Emergency Services course.

Members of the group graduated yesterday in a formal ceremony at the Rotorua District Council chamber.

The course has received such acclaim it is now being run in other New Zealand centres, including Timaru, Alexandra and Kaikohe.

"We were definitely impressed by the candidates this year," said Lake Okareka Volunteer Rural Fire Force chief fire officer Phil Muldoon, one of the course leaders.

"They've shown the enthusiasm and willingness to take new skills on board. It's a real pleasure when you see them come along."

Last year was the first time the course was run and from that several new volunteer firefighters signed up.

Mr Muldoon said he hoped to recruit more from this intake.

YES involves all emergency services. It is an annual four-week orientation experience and finishes with a weekend camp at Tui Ridge. The camp involves all the services running scenario-based exercises. At the end of the orientation the participants nominate the service they would like to volunteer with.

"The experience has opened a new world for me," said Tuwhakariora Houkamau, one of the graduates. "I feel privileged to have been a part of this year's programme."

YES is a national programme run collaboratively with the Ministry of Youth Development and Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

Graduates were: Leah Hoffman, Kayne John Sims, Danielle Wedgewood, Pania Tarei, Kelly Devereaux, Holly Tuhakaraina, Tuwhakariora Houkamau, Chantelle Galvin, Risapeta Pepi Aiavao, Te Rangimarie Halidone, Ema Mason, Shadze Poto, Jo Stafford, Josephine Curtisa.