There's still time for young Coromandel locals living on the east coast of the peninsula to get their applications in for the 2017 Youth in Emergency Services programme.

Interested youngsters aged 16-20 who currently live in an area stretching from Whangamata through to Whitianga will need to get their applications in before this Thursday, April 13.

Thames-Coromandel District Council runs YES in collaboration with the volunteer Fire Services, St John, Land Search and Rescue Thames Valley Civil Defence, Coastguard NZ and Surf Life Saving NZ.

'Everyone that took part in the programme two years ago had a lot of fun and learnt some great skills,” says Thames Valley Civil Defence Manager Helen Flynn.

'Many went on to volunteer for the Fire Service, St John, and LandSAR after enjoying the experience so much.”

Whangamata Area School students wanting some more information can speak to principal Alistair Luke, or Youth Group and Youth Forum leaders will also have more information and nomination forms.

The YES programme is delivered in two parts – theory and practical work – and each week the emergency service partners participating in YES take it in turns to deliver both components.

Each emergency service will deliver a two hour knowledge and skills sessions teaching participants what that service does and the equipment they use every Thursday night.

Then on the following Sunday, that service will run a four hour practical session which allows participants to use the skills and equipment they learned in the theory sessions.

While the final Sunday of the programme will be a combined exercise with a 'real life' emergency scenario, followed by a graduation ceremony.

Participants will also be expected to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours at an emergency service organisation of their choice at the conclusion of the programme.

Applications for the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Youth in Emergency Services Programme close 4pm on Thursday, April 13. To download nomination forms, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/yes

Successful nominees and their nominators will be notified by Monday, May 1.

If you have any questions about the application process or to submit nomination forms email Julie Dennis at: [email protected]