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Young Firefighters Association

What is Warwickshire Young Firefighters Association (YFA)?

Warwickshire YFA gives young people aged between 11 and 17 the opportunity to get involved in activities and projects in a fire service setting.

The first Young Firefighter branch was piloted in Warwickshire in 1997 at Bedworth Fire Station. Since that time it has gone from strength to strength and there are now 9 branches throughout the County. Each Branch of the YFA holds a drill night at the local fire station to which they are attached, held in the evening and normally for about 2 hours per week.

Currently there are over 250 Young Firefighters and more than 80 Instructional staff, with branches running at:

Branch operation times
Branch Date and time
Alcester Monday 7:00 - 9:00pm
Bidford Thursday 7:00 - 9:00pm
Shipston Thursday 7:00 - 9:00pm
Southam Wednesday 7:00 - 9:00pm
Studley Tuesday 7:00 - 9:00pm
Warwick Sunday 6:30 - 9:00pm
Wellesbourne Thursday 7:00 - 9:00pm

The Instructional staff are volunteers - some are serving members of the Fire Service. All Instructional staff must be over 18. We will require a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) to be successfully passed before we can accept new instructional Staff.

How do I become a young Firefighter?

Anyone who wants to become a member of Warwickshire YFA, or get involved as an Instructor should contact the WRFS Youth Development Department or contact their nearest Fire Station that operates a YFA branch. Find your nearest Station.

All young Firefighters must be aged between 11 and 17. If the YFA branch has vacancies, interested young people will be given an application form and various consent forms.

You will also be required to take part in an informal interview and practical test, both of which allows us to find out a little bit more about you. This interview is really to see why you wish to join the YFA... everyone has the same chance to join!

Once you are a member you can attend the weekly drill night and take part all the various events. Drill nights take the form of a parade, a training drill or a particular training session that that Branch is undertaking, i.e. first aid, a question and answer session - and most importantly - the tuck shop!

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What does the YFA provide for me?

The YFA provides all of its members with a variety of uniform and fire kit, this is provided at no cost to the individual. The YFA expects its members to be dressed smartly and to a high standard. Young Firefighters are encouraged to take good care of all items of uniform and fire kit that they are provided with. Items provided include:

  • fire tunic and leggings;
  • protective boots;
  • gloves;
  • helmet;
  • navy blue uniform;
  • 3-in-1 jacket;
  • baseball cap.

What do they do?

Meeting at least once a week on local fire stations young people can get involved in a variety of fun and challenging fire service related tasks and activities. These include:

  • Marching
  • Fire Service Drills
  • Parades
  • Pitching Ladders
  • Hose Running

Warwickshire YFA operates with a rank structure that mirrors that of the Fire Service. Each Branch can be split into Watches (different teams), and each Watch has a Crew Manager (CM) to lead the team and sometimes a Watch Manager (WM) to assist in the co-ordination of the Watch.

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What other activities do they get involved in?

Fundraising

Warwickshire YFA groups undertake regular fundraising activities. These include:

  • Car Washes
  • Car Boot Sales
  • Fetes & Shows
  • Sponsored Events

The YFA also receives financial assistance through donations or sponsorship from local community groups such as the Lions, Rotary Club, Round Table and Positive About Young People.

Community Work

Warwickshire YFA participate in many community events and initiatives where possible. These could be anything from installing smoke alarms in the home to entering local carnivals. Branches often attend the local Remembrance Parades.

The Association also offers opportunities for people over 17 who may want to get involved in assisting with the running of the organisation as a member of the Instructional staff, once they have reached their 18th Birthday.

Camps

Warwickshire Young Firefighters also attend both locally and nationally organised camps. 

Locally organised camps involve either individual, or, several YFA units, or, are organised with other local Fire Services. These weekends provide opportunities for young people to get involved in a variety of challenging activities and tasks, and assist in developing confidence, team building and leadership skills.

What will you gain from YFA?

Membership of the YFA does not guarantee you a position in the Fire Service as a career. However, it can give you a good insight into what is involved so you can go through the normal recruitment process, a sense of team work and good discipline, all of these are valuable in other careers and it can look good on your CV or job application!

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