When the siren calls

Getting up at 3am, Casey Lane wondered briefly if it was all worth it.

A year on from taking part in the Youth in Emergency Services (YES) programme, the 17-year-old student is keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps.

As applications for the 2018 initiative get underway, Lane is full of praise for the nine-week course, despite the early starts.

The hands-on programme puts people through their paces with volunteers from emergency services across the region.

Casey, of Blenheim, says she signed up in 2017 because she wanted to see what other career options were available.

‘‘I was interested in joining the navy but wanted to know more about other defence organisations.

‘‘The programme was great, much better than I thought it would be. It was really hands on and pretty cool as well as being really helpful,’’ she says.

Funded by the Ministry of Youth Development, the 2017 initiative saw 15 people aged between 16 and 18-years-old take part.

Organisers hope potential candidates will show the same ‘‘awesome commitment and active participation’’ as the team from last year.

For further information and to apply visit myt.org.nz.

‘‘The programme was great, much better than I thought it would be. It was really hands on and pretty cool as well as being really helpful.’’

PAULA HULBURT/STUFF The Youth in Emergency Services initiative has helped Casey Lane, 17, decide on a potential career.