Fire Rescue Hero Squad

SIREN WAILS

Coming up

on Hero Squad...

Six wannabe heroes...

..facing the worst nature can throw at them.

There's a new emergency crew in town.

I'm Rav Wilding and this is Hero Squad!

Six ordinary school kids.

Their mission - to learn how to save lives.

But do they have what it takes to become real-life heroes?

Today, on Hero Squad,

can these 12- and 13-year-old cadets

be transformed into life-saving fire-fighters?

They have just 24 hours to learn everything they need

to take on an extraordinary Hero Squad rescue.

Help!

A young woman is trapped inside a burning building.

The fire is spreading quickly, and her bedroom is filling with smoke.

But will the cadets get to her before it's too late?

Fire - it's hot, it's unpredictable and it kills.

Today, the cadets join the ranks of the brave men and women

who fight this lethal force of nature every day.

But will they have what it takes to succeed

or will they combust under pressure?

It's day one,

and the cadets are in Weymouth for the start of their training.

Welcome to Weymouth Fire Station,

part of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

-Are you ready to meet your mentor, cadets?

-Yeah.

Let's bring her in.

Good morning, cadets. My name is Esther Nash and I am your mentor.

Esther has been fighting fires for almost seven years

and it's her job to teach the cadets all she knows about saving lives.

'First up, she wants to see how the cadets react

'when they come face to face with a real fire.'

This demonstration shows how quickly

a fire caused by just one cigarette can spread.

In a matter of minutes, or even seconds,

that sofa is now alight.

We felt the heat and we weren't even in the room.

Esther's demo also shows how opening a door lets more oxygen in the room

and can increase the size of the fire in seconds.

-Wow, look at this.

-Whoa!

-Feel that heat!

-That is so hot.

That's the reason why we tell you never to go back into a room.

What's most important is you and your life.

These sofas, toys, pictures can be replaced. You can't be.

'Next the cadets are taken into a room

'which shows them the devastating after-effects of a fire.'

-COUGHING

-Andy, come on. Come in.

It was really shocking that one item

can set fire to, like,

a massive space. One single flame.

One mistake can lead to your whole house burning down. It's weird.

Being a fire-fighter is pretty hard.

People just think that they put out fires and that's the end of it

but actually, they risk their lives and actually go into fires.

They have to work out how they'll put out the fire

so it's not as simple as people think.

Lesson one will teach them how to get into their fire uniforms -

also known as Personal Protective Equipment or PPE.

So we've got steel toe-capped boots at the end

so we don't damage our feet or toes.

This PPE is designed to protect fire-fighters

from temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius

so it's a vital piece of safety kit.

But it doesn't look like the cadets are paying attention.

The cadets are in the classroom

and they think they're just having an important safety briefing

-from mentor Esther.

-I want to cover as much of my skin as possible.

When in fact, they're about to learn the most important lesson

to all fire and rescue officers, and that's speed.

An alarm will go off in a minute.

It'll give them just two minutes to get in here, the locker room,

into their specialist protective equipment

and onto the back of a fire engine,

so let's see if they've been paying attention

to what Esther's been telling them.

Hard helmet. If anything should fall on my head,

my head will be protected.

OK, two minutes, starting now. Let's see how they get on.

ALARM

Come on, cadets. There's a fire call. Come on, quick, hurry up!

I'm so confused.

Everybody's got two minutes!

Lockers in there.

PPE. Hurry up. There are people out there waiting for your help.

Come on, hurry up.

Every training exercise is a chance

for the cadets to impress their mentor Esther,

-who is watching their each and every move.

-Hurry up, time is ticking.

Keep going, keep going.

Good, Kiera, well done.

'They are all competing to be chosen as Squad Leader

'for tomorrow's Hero Squad rescue.

'And Kiera's in the lead already.'

Well done, Kiera. First one.

'Andy, on the other hand, is not making the best first impression.'

Andy, what's happening there? You've not got anything on yet.

The others are nearly dressed. Come on!

So with a bit of teamwork,

the cadets are finally ready to get on board the fire engines.

Time's up. We have to get in the fire engine. Grab your stuff and let's go.

Whoops! Alex's gloves aren't going to be much use to him in there.

In the back of the fire engine - four minutes and 40 seconds.

That's over double the time limit.

SIREN WAILS

It was amazing riding in the fire engine. I've only sat in one before

so it was a great new experience. I really enjoyed it.

Fire engine is so good. It's like, really bumpy.

Quickly! Out you get, out you get, out you get.

Well done, Kiera. OK.

Right, guys, not bad.

You are all kitted up, other than these gloves.

Who's missing some gloves? Alex?

-Sorry.

-Need those on your hand.

Very important.

I have to say I'm very disappointed in the speed

that you actually put your PPE on. I expect it to be a lot, lot quicker.

If you look at each other as well, you haven't got your PPE on properly,

so we can't do any more work at the moment

until your PPE is done up correctly.

So with a few final adjustments,

the cadets are ready to start their next training exercise.

They've just learnt the importance

of getting to the fire in record time

but their next challenge is to learn

the fire-fighter's most common method of putting it out -

-using water.

-Right, cadets,

the instructors here are going to show you

how to run out a length of hose.

Watch very, very carefully. Instructors, get to work!

There's a lot for the cadets to take in here -

hoses to be connected correctly,

commands to shout...

Branch out in the open, three bar pressure!

..and a Hero Squad target to hit.

Let's hope they can remember it all

because Esther's about to split them into two teams,

-and make them compete in a race.

-Number one crew,

you're going to be racing first, OK?

Number two crew, you'll be standing back watching number one crew.

Rav's got the stop watch there and he's going to time the race.

The fastest crew will win.

Crew number one, get to work!

So Andy, Luci and Lewis are off.

They run out the hose quite quickly, didn't they?

Yes, but have they done it right? Pulled it too far, see?

So it won't attach to the back of the fire engine.

-Branch out in the open!

-Branch in the open, three bar pressure!

Running back, doing really, really well. Very impressed.

-We've hit the target!

-We've hit it!

Stop, stop!

So with the water off, all they need to do now is roll up the hoses

and put everything back into the fire engine.

And...done.

Brilliant. Well done.

-Give the guys a clap.

-Well done, guys.

Really, really good effort.

-Bit out of breath, Luci? You OK?

-Yeah.

-Lots to remember, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

OK, well done. That's your go.

-Second team, stand by and wait for your instruction.

-Get to work!

They're off!

Let's see how Kiera, Katy and Alex get on.

They have no idea about the first time that was set

but they obviously have to get their skates on.

Got your position, so...

Branch out in the open!

Three bar pressure!

'And the pressure is really on for triathlete Kiera.'

She's also hoping to impress her dad

who's a fire-fighter himself.

I would probably consider my dad as a hero

because he's risked his life to save someone else's

and I would class that as a hero.

My dad had given me advice not to panic

and expect the unexpected

and to just think before you act.

I just want to be the person that saves someone's life.

They're competing against the clock and against each other

to be chosen as Squad Leader for tomorrow's rescue

and Katy's caught Esther's eye.

-I think Katy's looking very good, actually.

-She sprints up,

-very good with the connection.

-Yeah.

Pretty good time so far.

They're ahead of the first team.

I'm not really sure if they're beating us, but hopefully not.

Get in line!

-Teamwork essential on something like that.

-Yeah.

-Good.

Well, one team did it

in three minutes and four seconds.

One team did it in two minutes and 55 seconds,

so there's not a lot in it. Only ten seconds

but the winning team was the second team.

-Whoo!

-Yes!

-Well done, guys.

-Well done.

-Well done.

It was only ten seconds, so I think we did all right, I guess.

Last year alone,

fire fighters across Britain attended 287,000 fires.

The next part of the cadets' training will teach them

how to use a piece of equipment critical to saving lives -

breathing apparatus, or BA.

The yellow cylinder contains compressed air

so that fire fighters can breathe inside a burning building.

Any exposure to any form of smoke,

we will wear that breathing apparatus set

so we're not breathing in any toxic fumes whatsoever.

-So you ready to try it on?

-Yeah.

I can't pick it up!

It's so heavy!

'Each set weights 15 kg, which is the equivalent of 15 bags of sugar.

'That's heavy for any adult

'so for a 12-year-old, this will not be easy.'

Katy's not wasting any time, she's already halfway in it.

So the next thing is your mask.

'This is the first time that Dorset Fire and Rescue

'have allowed 12-year-olds to wear breathing apparatus.

'Even adult fire fighters don't get to try them

'until several weeks into their training,

'so the cadets have got a lot to prove!'

Breathe out and breathe in.

That's it.

It was quite scary

when we first did it but then, once you got used to it, it was fine.

It's like Darth Vader!

Yeah, like Darth Vader!

-Say something to me, so I can hear you.

-I like chips!

-You like chips?

It was quite hard to breathe with just a mask on. I was a bit panicky

but as soon as the gas was on, I could breathe and it was all right.

You can't hear very well, because all you can hear is your breathing,

-so you have to talk clearly and very loudly.

-Luci? You OK?

'So all six cadets have conquered wearing breathing apparatus,

'but for now, it's time to take it off

and learn a search technique all fire fighters must master -

-the BA shuffle.

-Dave will demonstrate for us

and the technique he's going to be using is to keep yourself safe,

but also to be able to find key landmarks inside a room.

When inside a building filled with smoke,

fire-fighters can't rely on their sight to navigate.

So the shuffle helps them feel their way around the building instead,

using their hands and feet.

It may seem silly, probably looks a bit silly,

but you're using it for your safety.

Right, cadets, you're up. Show us your shuffle.

Sweeping the hall...

It's like Strictly Come Dancing.

MUSIC: "Strictly Come Dancing" theme

Ow!

-Seven!

-Done exactly what you two did, as well.

So they may have discovered a new dance craze,

but they've also learnt a really vital skill.

Let's hope the cadets can remember it for tomorrow's Hero Squad rescue.

Coming up...

The cadets put their training into practice in a Hero Squad emergency.

SIREN WAILS

A girl is trapped inside a burning building

but who will be chosen as Squad Leader?

And can our cadets handle the pressure?

Look there's something on the floor.

The cadets think that's them done for the day

but what they don't know

is that they have a last chance to impress Esther

before she picks her Squad Leader for tomorrow's rescue.

While the cadets think they're having a well-earned break,

Esther is setting off a fire hydrant just outside the station.

She wants to see if the cadets can work together as a team

to get it under control.

But how will they react?

-Guys, quick.

-Quick, get your PPE on. Got a job to do.

We've got a leaking water main. It's your job

to try and stop the main from leaking more water, so can you hurry up?

Come on, cadets!

To get this ten-metre jet of water under control,

the cadets must cover the water with a five-metre tube.

Easier said than done

when the water is pumping out at a thousand litres per minute.

Andy's getting blown all over the place.

That's it! Well done, Lewis.

I was right at the middle. It really hurt your cheeks

so Lewis had to come in and he had to help me.

If they can get the tube covering the jet,

they'll be able to get to the valve to shut the water off.

Good, Lewis!

Well done.

Well done.

Job done.

Wet, cold, but awesome at the same time.

Well done.

-I think it's time for us to go and dry up.

-Yeah.

-Bye!

Well done, cadets, really good effort. How did they get on, Esther?

That was a really good effort.

I love the way you were talking to each other as a team.

We need a Squad Leader for tomorrow

and the person we think should lead tomorrow,

and it is a difficult challenge tomorrow...

..is going to be you, Katy, from what we've seen today.

OK? So well done.

You can lead the others tomorrow. Big one. It's going to be hard.

Make sure you get a good night's sleep tonight

because you're going to need it.

Football-mad Katy is no stranger to leading a team.

Katy's always wanted to be the captain of the team,

asking, "Can I be captain today?" She likes to lead.

-She's a good organiser, gets on well with everybody.

-Oops-a-daisy.

I wouldn't say I'm bossy.

I take everybody's ideas, everybody gets a say in what happens.

Even if anything looks a bit too tough, I'll keep going

and I won't stop until I've overcome it and I've done it.

Yesterday, the cadets learned the skills

they need to reform a fire rescue.

Well, today is rescue day

and they'll have to put all those skills into practice

on a Hero Squad emergency.

They finished on a high yesterday

but today the heat is really on

as they have a huge challenge on their hands.

It's 7am

and Hero Squad casualty Hannah is sound asleep in bed.

The plug socket in her living room is dangerously overloaded.

It has started to overheat,

and the sparks have turned into flames.

Hannah does have a smoke alarm,

but it isn't working. She took the batteries out last night

when she needed to replace the ones in her remote control. Bad move!

If you don't have working smoke alarms in your home,

your chances of surviving a fire when you're asleep are almost zero.

The clock is ticking, and the Hero Squad must act fast.

Completely unaware of what lies in store, the cadets are on duty

and carrying out the fire station's daily checks.

Find something that might look like a step chock.

There's one, two, three.

Every fire engine contains over 200 pieces of equipment,

so the cadets are checking it's all there, so they're ready to go

at a moment's notice.

ALARM

-All right, quick, we've got to go.

-Locker room. Go, quickly!

Quick, quick, quick!

Right, you lot, you know how to do it. You have two minutes.

I want you kitted out and in the back of the fire engines, quickly!

Katy, you want to go and get the turnout sheet from the printer?

The turnout sheet contains all the vital information they have

about the fire they're heading to.

-Go!

-Let's go, this way. One, two, three, four, five, six.

Esther will be watching

how the cadets deal with this Hero Squad emergency,

and the cadet who impresses her the most

will be awarded "Hero of the Day".

And that could go to anyone, even squad leader Katy,

who's taken on the role like a pro,

and is already giving out her instructions.

We need four people to go into the building

and do a search with the BAs on.

You four, you're going to do the hose if we need it

and we're going to watch from outside

and make sure everything is OK from outside.

So while Luci, Alex, Lewis and Kiera get into their breathing apparatus,

Katy and Andy start running the hoses.

But there's a problem almost immediately.

There appears to be no water coming from the fire engine.

Luckily, squad leader Katy has a plan.

Andy, we need some more water, so we need to run a hose out.

With no water in the fire engine,

she plans to get Andy to connect the new hose to the fire hydrant.

Andy's going to open up the hydrant so they've got loads of water

because they need to get into that building fast.

There's a lady trapped up there.

Inside the building, Hero Squad casualty Hannah

has now woken up and seen the smoke. She acts fast

and smothers the bottom of her bedroom door with her duvet

to keep the smoke out.

-Keeping the door shut and smothered...

-Help!

..can give the person inside an extra 20-30 minutes.

-Whatever happens, the priority is to get the casualty out.

-Help!

So with the BA crew kitted up,

the pressure is on Katy

to give them clear instructions before they go inside.

OK, you two are going to go on a right-hand search

and you two are going to go on a left-hand search.

You're team one and you're team two.

-OK.

-But she still needs to find a way into the building -

a problem that fire-fighters often face when the door is locked.

-Locked.

-What are you going to do?

-We have to go through a window.

Katy said the door's locked. She'll have to go in through the window.

So Katy grabs the fireman's spear

so that she can smash the window and get the Hero Squad inside.

Come on, Katy!

When Katy smashed the window, I thought it was just plastic

and it was going to crack a bit and we'd have to pull it open.

But then she hit it and it just smashed like glass.

I think it was glass.

I really liked breaking the window.

It was really fun as well.

My first three attempts didn't go that well,

but once I got the hang of it, the window shattered completely

and it just fell to the floor.

Katy's just smashed the window

and she's telling her troops to get kitted up

as they're going in through there!

I want you to search the whole building, OK?

Start on the bottom floor. If you can't find anything, move up.

Keen to follow in her dad's footsteps,

Kiera bravely leads the team inside. Kiera!

You're leading.

The cadets are not entering a real burning building

but this synthetic smoke simulates

what fire fighters encounter in a real-life rescue situation.

And for our 12-year-olds who are carrying 15kg of equipment,

it's a dangerous challenge.

I was quite nervous on what we was going into

cos we couldn't see anything, so you didn't know what you'd to walk into,

we didn't know what we was trying to find,

how many people we was trying to find.

So with team one safely inside,

Katy sends in team two - Luci and Lewis.

On the first store to start with. Luci's leading.

Once we got inside the building,

I felt quite excited but it was quite scary as well.

So both teams are now inside,

but it's Kiera who spots their first vital clue.

She's taken the smoke alarm out!

And the battery's on the side.

Alex then finds what he thinks is the source of the fire.

Look there's something on the floor.

That's the cause of the fire!

But still no sign of the missing girl.

There's a door here!

Go through the door!

You OK? You OK?

Yeah. I'm OK.

I felt like a fire-fighter when I was in there

because, you know, the teamwork was there.

We were all shouting commands.

The cadets are doing a fantastic job

of getting the Hero Squad casualty out safely.

They've got a casualty!

Just on the side, please!

I felt proud when the team brought the casualty out

because they'd all worked really well and all brought her out

and she was out safely and she was unharmed.

Are you going upstairs?

So to complete their search,

the BA teams head upstairs to ensure

that there's no-one else in any danger.

AMBULANCE SIREN WHOOPS

Was there anybody else inside with you?

-No, it was just me.

-So there's no-one else inside.

Your team's still in there. You need to get them out.

Brilliant from Katy. She just asked the victim

if there was anyone else inside. She said no, she's alone,

so she can get her team out of there.

There's nobody else in the building! Come out!

So while Katy gets the BA crews out of the building,

Andy's with the ambulance team

who are automatically called out when there's a fire.

Just be calm, everything will be all right. We'll sort out everything.

And thanks to our cadets, she's now safely on her way to hospital.

We've seen how the fire-fighters work

and how dangerous their jobs are.

It's like, you don't want to mess around with fire

or else you could take your own life or someone else's.

I would definitely consider being a fire-fighter,

going into and saving people, like, helping people,

I think that would be a real sense of achievement.

And so with the rescue a success,

the transformation from cadet to fire-fighter is complete.

So all that remains is for Esther and me to discuss

who we think is "Hero of the Day".

I thought Katy did a great job as leader today.

Yeah, fabulous job. She had lots of decisions to make.

Really tough decisions as well.

She showed some really strong leadership qualities.

Kiera did really well. Fearless as ever.

-And so was Luci.

-She knew, clearly in her head, what she had to do.

So lots of strong performances

but there can only be one Hero of the Day.

Cadets, well done.

-Who enjoyed that?

-Me.

Really, really good effort and some fearless work from all of you there.

I'd like to thank you for all your efforts. It's been brilliant.

Esther's had a word with her colleagues

to sort out a treat for one of you to go up in that vehicle,

to ride that up to the very top, over 100 feet high.

Unfortunately for the other five of you, there are all these hoses

and all this equipment that needs tidying up,

cleaning up and putting away safely. Sorry, but it's part of the job.

It's been a tough one, cos you've all done some really good work

but the person who we decided,

Esther and I, should be Hero of the Day is...

-It's you, Katy. Well done.

-Well done.

Well done today. Good effort.

Katy's been a fantastic Squad Leader today.

She's made tough decisions under pressure,

shown real determination

and led her team to success.

She is most definitely the Hero of the Day.

Coming up on Hero Squad -

the cadets face one of their toughest challenges yet.

Will they be able to rescue an injured walker

stranded on a remote moor?

Find out next time.

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