EASTLEIGH College students were treated to an activity-filled trip at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue headquarters.

Two classes of Level 3 Public Services students had the chance to participate in six activities which tested both their physical ability and mental resilience under pressure.

Examples of fitness selection tests included the ladder climb, ladder extension and equipment carry, with further sessions on community engagement, recruitment processes and equality and diversity.

The tour even extended to the control room, where trained professionals provided insight into the responsibilities of this operator role, both in responding to emergency calls and mobilising resources to respond to crisis situations.

Student Katie Dodge said: "The trip to the fire station headquarters was one of my personal highlights of the course. The staff were so informative, friendly and encouraging when someone was struggling with their confidence.

"Experiencing and learning more about careers within the fire service was such a useful insight and left me eager to investigate potential work experience as well as a possible career in the field."

This session arose when Public Services lecturer Steve Jackson was approached by an operations manager at the fire and rescue headquarters.

After the event, Steve said: "Networking with our public services has always been one of the most important aspects of our course and a number of our students are now looking at pathways into fire and rescue careers, which they weren’t before.

"We have noticed a similar effect in our past collaborations, such as with the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, and we are now eagerly looking ahead to our next upcoming partnership with local police services."