Thirty-nine Fire Cadets from across Berkshire demonstrated their new skills at a Graduation Ceremony held at Maidenhead Fire Station on the evening of Wednesday, 10 July 2024.
Fire Cadets is a youth initiative programme operated by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and takes place at four fire stations across the County – Crowthorne, Maidenhead, Newbury, and Whitley Wood.
The scheme is open to young people aged between 12 and 16 years old and allows the Cadets to experience what it is like to be firefighter in today’s fire and rescue service.
The courses are led by firefighters, members of RBFRS staff and volunteers, who provide opportunities for young people to develop new life skills by taking part in fire and rescue service activities.
During the Graduation Ceremony, the cadets demonstrated a range of skills that are required to deal with several different emergency fire and rescue scenarios. The demonstrations included a scenario involving cadets administering first aid, a road traffic collision, a rescue from a simulated fire, wearing breathing apparatus, and a simulated car fire.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, who presented the Cadet of the Year Awards, said: “The Fire Cadets programme provides fun and inclusive opportunities for young people to reach their full potential, contributing to safer and healthier communities. It also provides an opportunity for young people to learn and develop skills such as self-reliance, leadership, and decision-making, alongside learning about fire and water safety and firefighter activities. Well done to all the young people who have completed the course.”
Katie Mills, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, who presented graduation certificates to the cadets said: “I’m delighted that we can celebrate the Fire Cadets’ achievements in the presence of their families and friends.”
“Congratulations to all of the cadets for successfully completing this course. The Service is proud of you all, as I’m sure your families and loved ones are too.”
“Finally, thank you to the staff, volunteers and Cadet Mentors for all their hard work. They give up their valuable time to act as role models for these young people and provide them with a positive and rewarding experience which I’m sure will remain with them for a very long time.”
For further information about Fire Cadets, please visit the RBFRS website.