FAQs

These are the top 10 most Frequently Asked Questions from students who hear about or are about to start the BEACON and LIFE Projects.

 

1. HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO ATTEND A COURSE?

You need to be between 13 and 16 years old to attend a BEACON or 12 to 19 do attend a L.I.F.E. course with us.

 

2. HOW LONG DOES THE COURSE LAST?

The BEACON is 12 weeks long. You attend one day a week.
The L.I.F.E. course can be a single day up to a whole week.

Both courses run from 10am until 2.30pm
(except for the registration on the first day, which is a 12.30pm finish)

 

3. WHY SHOULD I COME? / WHAT DO I GET OUT OF IT?

First and foremost these courses are designed to be FUN! You will have a great time, meet new people, learn lots of new skills and build confidence from the minute you begin.

The programmes give you the opportunity to improve key skill areas such as ‘Working with others’, ‘Taking Responsibility’, ’Improving own learning’ and ‘Leadership’.

However these courses are designed to promote learning without study, so you will only be in the classroom for the minimum time possible and there is hardly any written work at all, in fact you will be far too busy working with the fire engines and fire fighting equipment outside on our training yard!

More than anything else this course will allow you to prove to your friends, family and us, the staff that you have the ability to work hard, improve yourself and that you can do whatever you set your mind to.

 

4. WHAT DO I WEAR ON THE COURSE?

On the first day, come in your normal clothes. You will be issued with a uniform consisting of blue trouser and blue t shirt with the Fire Service and Youth Engagement logos on. This is to be taken home with you and worn again for the rest of the course. When you are outside on the fire yard we will supply you with one of two types of Fire Kit. We have specialist lightweight waterproof kit for everyday use and standard heavyweight Merseyside Fire Service Kit for when you are fighting fires. You will get fire boots, gloves and a helmet too!

 

5. WHAT ABOUT LUNCH?

Lunches and refreshments are all provided by us so you need not worry!
Regular breaks are an important part of the day and we provide drinks and fruit for everyone.

As for the lunches, at the start of the day you choose which sandwich you want and we ring an order through to a local bistro who deliver the lunches each day. Again drinks and a selection of fruit are available at lunchtime.
You may bring your own sandwiches if you wish and still enjoy the fruit and drink provided.

 

6. WHERE DO I ATTEND THE COURSE?

We run our BEACON and L.I.F.E. courses from two places. The first is our Youth Engagement base in Kirkdale. It is next to Kirkdale Fire Station on Derby Road and is our ‘MACC’ building. This is where all the 999 calls to Merseyside Fire Service are handled. We are on the ground floor and have our own team room, offices, separate changing rooms and kit stores and full access to the training yard and even two fire
engines!

We also have similar facilities setup at St Helens Fire Station which we use regularly to run BEACON and L.I.F.E. courses for Young People in the
surrounding area.

 

7. HOW DO I GET THERE?

To get to our Kirkdale base on Derby road;

By bus FROM Liverpool City Centre and buses TO City Centre take the following buses : 55, 53, 52, 51, 300, 291,

get off on Stanley Road at the top of Bankhall Road (next to Bankhall Railway Station and BUILDERS CENTRE) walk down the hill and take the second left onto Bankhall Lane, take the first right (you can see our yard and fire engines)

Or take the 47 / 48 and get off at Bankhall Fire Station Stop. This stop is opposite our building, simply cross the road.

By Train FROM Liverpool Central and TO Liverpool Central take the Southport Train and get off at Bankhall station and follow the directions above for Stanley Road bus route.

Or take any of the KIRKBY, ORMSKIRK or SOUTHPORT trains and get off at Sandhills Station. Exit down the ramp and turn left, take the first right onto Bankhall Lane and take the second left past the Fire Station.

Once you have arrived ring the bell/buzzer on the door marked YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

For Maps and directions by car please click here to go to our Contact Us Page

 

8. WHAT DOES IT COST / DO I NEED MONEY?

The cost to you, is zero. Your school or agency have paid for the course in full, this includes lunches, equipment, uniform and facilities.
There are no vending machines at either of our bases nor shops so you will not need to spend anything.
The only money you may need is for your transport to and from our course.

In fact money / valuables should NOT be brought with you unless necessary.

Mobile phones, mp3 players, expensive watches and jewellery could be damaged or lost during our activities and staff recommend leaving them at home. If you do have items with you, staff can mind them and return them at the end of the day, but all items are left at your own risk.

 

9. HOW DO I GET ON A COURSE?

If you want to attend a BEACON of LIFE Project you must ask your tutor / teacher / key worker to contact us, details can be found here When they
contact us we will be able to advise them of any courses starting with spaces left or the possibility of running a course just for you and others in your area.

 

10. WILL THIS HELP ME BECOME A FIREFIGHTER

This course is no guarantee of a job in the fire service however by completing one of our courses you will certainly be on the right track.

By attending and completing a course you will have shown that you have dedication, competence, dependability and reliability (yes big words I know!).

You will learn the importance of teamwork and working with other people, you will take responsibility for yourself and others and learn the benefits and consequences of your actions and also have great fun with your team mates! These are ALL key elements that Fire Service personnel show everyday, and without them you would not be able to work in the Fire Service.

Once you have completed your course and still want to be a firefighter, remember you have to be 18 to join. This may still be a long time away so in the meantime, to keep a link with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service you could look into some of the other things that we do, courses we run and our volunteer section. Click here to go to our links page