RBFRS is now recruiting Fire Cadets! Could you be one of them?

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is now recruiting the next group of Fire Cadets for the new academic year.

Fire Cadets is a youth initiative for young people between 12 and 16 years old and is run by firefighters and members of RBFRS staff and volunteers, with educational support from the Safety Education Team.

Fire Cadets participate in practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including hose drills, breathing apparatus procedures and fire safety awareness sessions. The scheme teaches young people essential life skills such as self-discipline, confidence and leadership.

Recruitment for Fire Cadets is now open, and the course is due to run from October 2021 to July 2022. The Fire Cadets course runs for the academic year, term time only.

There are four Fire Cadet units within RBFRS – which are based at Crowthorne Fire Station, Maidenhead Fire Station, Whitley Wood Fire Station and Newbury Fire Station.

Courses held at Crowthorne Fire Station and Whitley Wood Fire Station take place on Wednesday evenings, and those at Newbury Fire Station and Maidenhead Fire Station take place on Thursday evenings. All sessions take place weekly, running from 7pm to 9pm. 

At the end of the course, Fire Cadets will have a graduation ceremony, where they will perform drills in front of their family and friends, demonstrating what they have learnt during the course.

Nicola Smith, Safety Education Manager, said: ‘Our dedicated Fire Cadet instructors are looking forward to welcoming our new group of Fire Cadets this October. During the course, Fire Cadets will have the opportunity to work with others and their communities and develop their team-building and leadership skills while participating in fire and rescue service activities.

‘Sessions consist of practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including understanding how the fire and rescue service operates and learning about fire, road and water safety. The course is designed to be 80% practical, with all of our Cadet units using dedicated fire engines and equipment. Fire Cadets also have uniform and fire kit provided for the duration of the course.’

If you are between 12 and 16 years old and are interested in this opportunity, or if you know someone who would be interested in taking part, please email firecadets@rbfrs.co.uk to register your interest.

You can also visit our website at rbfrs.co.uk/firecadets for more information.