Created 'in house' and introduced in early 1994, the awards form a key part of the training program, taking up approximately 50 per cent of the time each young person spends at the branch.

Consisting of five levels, each progressively harder than the last, there is something achievable for every member, whatever their age.

The table below shows which award is aimed at what age group:

Each level must me successfully completed before a member can move onto the next level.  The assessments are both written and practical, with minimum pass rates of 60% and 70% retrospectively.
 

Level One

Creating a firm base for the other levels and an awareness of general safety, level one requires members to be able to:

• answer simple questions on their station & division, show an understanding of how the West Midlands Fire Service works and know about the rank structure of the YFA. Other theory involves knowing the phonetic alphabet and understanding how to maintain their uniform.

• show the ability to tie simple knots such as a Reef Knot or Bowline, be able to perform simple drills such as setting a hydrant, changing a burst length of hose, pitching a triple extension ladder or hauling a branch aloft and demonstrate the use of basic signals and commands.

Level Two

Designed to build on the knowledge gained in the previous level, level two requires that members are able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge of the rank structure of the fire service including fire control, stow any piece of equipment in the correct location on a fire appliance and understand the uses of each piece of equipment on the YFA kit list.
  

• use both hose reels and jets competently, be able to perform rescues such as lowering by line or casualty on ladder, have a basic understanding of fire extinguishers in both theory and practice and demonstrate safe practice while on the drill yard.
  

Level Three

As the jigsaw pieces fall into place, members at level three should now have a wide and varied understanding of fire safety and be competent in many different practices. To successfully achieve level three, members must be able to:

• understand the fire triangle, the different fire classes and how fire spreads, have a broad knowledge of fire safety in the home, schools and the workplace, know about the history of the fire service and understand how fire control works.
  

• demonstrate the ability to be able to tie advanced knots, be able to effectively build a dam using a triple extension ladder, a salvage sheet and a line and perform any or all of the skills learned at level one in a supervised drill.
  

Level Four - The Divisional Commanders Award

Moving away from basic fire safety, fire drills and exam like assessments, the DC's Award starts to look in more detail at the 'behind the scenes' aspect of the fire service, gaining respect from youngsters and becoming a leader. The requirements for this level are:

• the 'Introduction to Leadership' course.

• assist in the running of a fire service community project, promoting fire safety.

• compare the West Midlands Fire Service with a neighboring brigade.

• organise a level one fire drill.

• complete a basic line rescue course.

• have a basic understanding of Fire Research & Development.

• complete a First Aid course.

• complete a non-fire service related project.

Assessment is continuous throughout the award.
 

Level Five - The Chief Fire Officers Award

The final award looks in depth at how the YFA and Fire Service are organised, allowing the young person to have a positive input into the running of the branch. Satisfaction is gained by seeing their ideas grow off a piece of paper and putting them into action.  Level five requires than participants:

• complete the Leadership and First Aid courses if not already done so.

• organise a charity fundraising event.

• compare the WMFS and an overseas brigade, completing a project on their findings.

• explore fire research in detail.

• train in a specialist operation e.g. advanced line rescue.

• organise and assist with a level one, level two and level three drill.

• organise and take on the roll of Officer in Charge at public displays.

Again, like the DC's award, assessment is continuous throughout the award.
 

Members achievements are formally recognised by the Divisional Commander of 'A' Division at a presentation evening. Here members get the chance to demonstrate the skills which they have learned in the form of a fire display, complete with a fire safety message, in front of parents and senior officers.

A smaller display is used at school fetes, carnivals and fire station open days, where a chief sets fire to his kitchen with disastrous consequences, the highlight of the display being the successful rescue of the casualties trapped within the 'burning building'.