YOUTH projects run by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in Bognor Regis are set to get a boost if plans for an extension of the fire station go ahead.
At the moment, the station's fire service cadets, and youngsters on the fire break course, are housed in temporary huts.
Those huts at the fire station in West Meads Drive are to be replaced by permanent buildings with purpose-built lecture rooms
and changing facilities.
Youth team manager Jeremy Beard said: "It is the provision of a facility which is going to take us into the future.
"It will be a nice new addition to the fire service. For me it is very much symbolic of where we have come from.
"The buildings at the moment are temporary and it is fair to say they have got a life span.
"It also gives us scope to look at more projects in the future."
The cadets scheme is aimed at young people of both sexes, mixed ability and backgrounds. Youngsters completing the scheme leave with a formal diploma that reflects their achievement.
The extension is needed as the youth team have grown out of the accommodation.
The extension will provide new accommodation for the youth team, including a gymnasium, an office, a lecture room, changing rooms, storage areas, a toilet, kitchenette and a project area.
The existing hut will be refurbished, and a bicycle storage area will be built.
The cadets take part in a number of activities using the ladders and special fire hoses, but they do not take part in call-outs or tackle fires.
The other scheme which will benefit from the extension is the fire break project which helps out youngsters who are at risk of being excluded at school.
Mr Beard added: "The children very much enjoy the association with the fire service. I think they really enjoy the physical aspect of it."
There are 16 cadets based on the 40-week course at Bognor, who meet once a week on a Thursday.
The schemes also run at Worthing and Burgess Hill fire stations. For more information on the youth projects
click here.
To comment on the planning application write to Arun District Council quoting the application number BR/289/08.
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The full article contains 452 words and appears in OS-Bognor Observer newspaper.
