What Is The LIFE Course About?

LIFE is an intensive, hands-on, five-day experience, held on a fire station, in a tightly structured team environment, conducted with a ratio of one instructor for every two young people. This means that a strong bond of trust is established, and this invariably means that any advice given is listened to and acted upon.The young people are treated with respect and given adult responsibilities for management and maintenance of gear.

It is specifically designed to change the attitude and behaviour of the young people by getting them to:

Adopt a new set of values
Address the consequences of anti-social (fire-setting) behaviour
Work co-operatively with others
See the advantage of improving their own learning and performance
Gain self-esteem and self-confidence and to communicate better

Each young person has their progress evaluated by a fire service LIFE instructor. This allows for the formulation of forward strategies to meet the needs of the young person and improve their life chances. At the end of the course, trainees receive a certificate of achievement at a passing out (graduation) parade, attended by family members, carers and representatives from local authorities and other programme partners.

LIFE in New Zealand is a partnership programme between the New Zealand Fire Service, Ministry of Social Development, Child Youth and Family Services, the New Zealand Police, Youth Transition Services and St John. Referrals will primarily come from these sources. Each course will accommodate 12 young people and 6 instructors. The course is non-residential and the young people will be picked up and dropped off each day.

Course Dates

Why Are The Fire Service Getting Involved?

To make a real difference in young people’s lives and community issues, working in partnership with other organizations can achieve so much more. Statistics show that over a quarter of all crime in NZ is committed by young people.

The Fire Service has a lot to offer in terms of its standing within the community, being a highly regarded, well structured organisation with self-disciplined staff who can serve as role-models to disengaged young people.

Through the LIFE programme, the fire service can have a positive impact on these young people. The programme offers young people the opportunity to have a positive experience, gaining a real sense of achievement. It also opens up career opportunities, fosters teamwork, self-discipline and participation in the local community.

In addition to reducing antisocial behaviour, the programme also increases awareness of what the fire service does. The LIFE course allows young people to experience what it is like to be an operational firefighter. This includes the frustration of attending hoax calls and being victims of antisocial behaviour themselves.

LIFE Course Dates for 2010:

Hawke's Bay

6 - 10 September

Gisborne

November, Dates to be confirmed

Location