There is a petition to save Warwickshire Young Firefighters on the Warwickshire County Council website.
Young fire fighter groups in South Warwickshire are to be axed in November because the fire service has to save £2.4 million by 2018, and £1.3 million of that in the next two years. There are around 250 children and 80 staff in the association.
Started in 1997, the young firefighters now have groups in Shipston, Bidford, Warwick, and Kenilworth. Children between 11 and 18 meet up once a week at their local fire stations to practice marching, fire service drills, pitching ladders and running hoses.
They take part in fundraising activities like car washes, fêtes, and car boot shows; branches often attend their local Remembrance Day parades.
The scheme is currently free, and children even get a full uniform complete with fire tunic and leggings, protective boots, gloves, helmet; and jacket. Parents are happy to pay subs to keep the service running but this has not even been considered.
Warwickshire County Council, which runs the fire service, will rubber-stamp the cuts after 20 June 2014