First year Level 3 Uniformed Services at Kingston College recently visited Paddington Fire Station to learn about firefighting and participate in some of the fitness tests required by firefighters.
On arrival, the students learned about the restrictions, requirements, skills and knowledge for those applying to become a firefighter. After that, they participated in a number of tests: a tower climb where each student climbed a tall tower to see if they could handle being at heights; a cage test where they crawled through a cage to test how well they could manage tight spaces, both with and without light; a ladder raise where they practised lifting a 25kg ladder overhead to test their upper body strength; and finally an equipment carry where they had to carry two 15kg hoses over a set distance to test endurance.
Following the fitness tests, a group of students were given the opportunity to tour the station where they experienced being on a 32-meter ladder, the equivalent to being on the 10th floor of a building. They carried a breathing apparatus, experiencing some of the weight firefighters manage in emergencies, as well as having a close look at the rescue equipment and protective gear (PPE) worn by firefighters.
The students found the day challenging but exciting, gaining insight into the demanding skills needed for firefighting. Thank you to the firefighters at Paddington Fire Station for providing our students with such an informative and productive visit.
