IGNITE Success: Chichester College Students Step Toward Firefighting Careers 

Public Service students recently took part in a demanding week of real‑world firefighting challenges, as they completed the latest IGNITE programme, run by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.  

During the programme, a total of 12 students participated in a diverse range of testing activities that simulated various firefighting scenarios.   

These include drill yard skills such as running hoses, as well as some teambuilding challenges, first aid training, and communication activities.  

The aim of the week-long programme is to bolster students’ personal resilience, strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing and build healthy relationships.  

Students were congratulated at the event by the Area Manager of West Sussex Fire and Rescue, Andy Pillar, as he presented them with their certificates in front of a proud selection of friends and family.  

Riley Hunt, one of the students who took part in the programme, said:  
“When I first heard about the ignite course from my tutor Mark Bonar, I thought it would be a good opportunity to go to the fire service and learn some new skills and safety measures from it.   

“I learned a lot from doing this, and it also challenged me with activities that I may not have done by myself, like climbing the ladder up the building, and I think this course would be a great opportunity for lots of people who are thinking of going into a service.  

Summer Anderson-Swan, another one of the students who took part, added:  
“I did it to try new opportunities and to try new things. I found the time good for new experiences, as it’s something I’ve never done before, and I wanted to see if it would change my mind about being a police officer.   

“A particular highlight for me was overcoming my fear of the gas mask chamber, which I found very claustrophobic.”  

To learn more about the Public Services courses on offer at the college, please click here.