Fire Cadets is a nationally recognised programme designed to engage with young people aged 13-18.
Fire Cadet Units normally operate from a local fire station or sometimes at a specific school or other community location.
Young people attend one session per week (the same night every week) during school term times.
Current Cadet Units
- St Helens – Parr Stocks Road (Tuesdays 6-8pm)
- Wirral – Wallasey Fire Station (Thursdays 6-8pm)
- Liverpool – Croxteth Fire Station (Tuesdays 6.15 – 8.15pm)
- Sefton – Bootle/Netherton Fire Station (Wednesday 6-8pm)
- Sefton – Southport Fire Station (Wednesday 6.15-8.15pm)
Activities
- Physical Firefighting Drills:
Hose Drills, Foam Drills, Hydrant Drills, Search & Rescue, Fire Extinguishers - Fire Safety Awareness:
Hoax calls, Arson, Bonfire/Firework, Safety in the Home, Fire Escape Plans, Smoke Alarms - First Aid
- Road Safety Awareness
- Water Safety Awareness
- Visit to 999 Fire Control Room
- Fundraising
- Community Engagement (helping out at events, helping vulnerable members of the community)
- Guest Speakers:
Other Uniformed Services, Charitable organisations, local representatives - Learning about the Prevention & Protection department in the Fire Service
Aim
- Provide the opportunity to learn about, engage with and experience the Fire & Rescue Service
- Support young people to make a positive contribution to society
- Provide safe, fun and enriching experiences
- The course is delivered with the aim of encouraging self-development of the students by instilling fundamental Fire Service principles of self-discipline, leadership and teamwork.
- To develop wider key skills in communication, problem solving and how to work with others – to increase confidence, raise self-esteem and inspire young people to make positive life choices for their futures
Objective
- Assist young people to develop self-discipline
- Promote community involvement
- Develop fire safety knowledge in young people
- Develop personal safety knowledge in young people
- Provide the opportunity to obtain a range of certification and accreditation
Progression
Fire Cadets can stay in the unit until they are 17 years old, unless they wish to become a Junior Instructor and support other cadets.
At 18 years old, a cadet can become a Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor
Qualifications/Certification
*Subject to availability, cadets will work towards most of the following:
- BTEC Level 2 Award in Fire & Rescue Services in the Community *
- Asdan Activities Award *
- Level 1 Fire Cadet Award
- First Aid Awareness
- Completion Certificate (given every 12 months)
Recruitment
The Fire Cadet programme is fully inclusive and open to all young people from a mix of backgrounds representative of the local community.
Potential cadets must complete an application/consent form and subject to numbers of interested cadets, may be invited to attend an interview.
Cadets are subject to a probation/induction to access their suitability (normally 6 weeks). On completion of this induction, cadets will be issued a Fire Cadet uniform, which must be worn weekly