Youngsters are prepared for emergency situations

The 27 Cubs, who belong to the 6th Gosport (Rowner) Air Scout Group, completed their Duke of Cornwall Award at Gosport Fire Station.

The Cubs, all aged between eight and 10, learned how to take action in times of emergency.

They picked up skills ranging from what to do in floods and power cuts, to how they should care for the most vulnerable people in the community.

They also discovered how to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies, as well as finding out important information if there is a power cut.

Lisa Young, volunteer leader of the Cubs, said: ‘It’s great that the Cubs are learning these really important skills and how to help their communities.

‘By working with the fire service they were able to hear first-hand experiences and learn from the experts, who made it fun and informative for them.

‘Some of the Cubs found it difficult to comprehend that the internet or electricity might not be working in an emergency, so hopefully now they are much better prepared.’

The Cubs were also fortunate enough to experience what happens in a real life emergency scenario, as Gosport Fire Station was called into action.

The Duke of Cornwall Award was initially launched back in 2012, after the 2010 floods in Cornwall prompted Prince Charles to engage youth organisations in recovery efforts.

It has been developed to give young people in the UK the opportunity to learn what to do in emergency situations and how to help themselves and their local community.

In Hampshire, it is the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Resilience Service that has been helping organisations to achieve this award.

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