Young people across Norfolk are being encouraged to gain practical experience, make new friends and get involved in their local community through joining Fire Cadets.

First set up by Norfolk Fire and Rescue in 1984, Fire Cadets is open to anyone aged 13-17 and offers 5 different units in areas including Wymondham, Great Yarmouth and Sheringham. Members are provided with their own uniform and train under current firefighters as part of nationally recognised programme to experience the everyday realities and challenges of the job – such as safe operation of equipment and responding appropriately to an emergency situation, which may prove useful in the future. One such example was when cadet Jess Auston provided first aid to a toddler who ran into a table, claiming her training enabled her to remain calm and quickly treat the child. She subsequently received an award and was made crew manager of her unit.

Cadets featured on the Norfolk County Council website describe experiences such as developing team building and leadership skills as well as experiencing what firefighters do “out on an actual call”, as Jack says. The rigorous testing and hands-on nature of their training can also lead into a professional career. 13-year-old Ben has an older brother who was a cadet for five years before joining Hethersett fire service, and former cadet Ryan is now an on-call firefighter at Wymondham, who believes he was part of “one of the best cadet schemes around”.

In addition to weekly drills at their local station, fire cadets are trained in fire safety, climbing drill towers and safely removing car parts in case of road accidents. Other opportunities include participating in local community events, such as spending a night on the streets to raise awareness for homeless people and visiting the elderly for a day.  Extending their activities beyond the local community, fire cadets from Norfolk took part in international event NORJAM this summer, teaching scouts and guides from around the world about fire safety.  Residential trips focusing on teamwork and dedication are often organised with the latest involving volunteering in soup kitchens and abseiling in Derbyshire.

Fire cadets have gained a good public reputation, as shown at a team building day for Norfolk Fire and Rescue at Bowthorpe in 2017. Chief Fire Officer David Ashworth stated he was “rightly proud of our fire cadets”, whilst Norfolk County Council Chairman John Ward described the cadet unit as “a valuable and worthwhile part of the fire service.”

Anyone interested in becoming a cadet is encouraged to email Lydia Durrant at Lydia.Durrant@fire.norfolk.gov.uk.

Frances Butler