UK Fire Cadets

If you’re thinking of a firefighter career when you leave school or college, have you considered joining your local Fire Cadets?

The UK Fire Cadets are a dedicated and uniformed group for young people who want to follow a career in firefighting. The age ranges vary from area to area, but the scheme is generally open to young people between the ages of 11-17.

The Fire Cadets are an inclusive organisation aiming to provide young people with the opportunity to develop their skills through training and discipline.

Benefits of joining the Fire Cadets

When you join the Fire Cadets you’ll get the opportunity to gain a real qualification, and develop your confidence and personal skills. It’s similar to the Army Cadets or organisations like Scouts or Guides. You’ll build real-world (and relevant and transferable) skills, meet new people, learn teamwork and have a lot of fun!

When it comes to firefighting, you’ll learn hands-on skills – doing the same practical exercises that firefighters do. This could include climbing through tunnels and enclosed spaces, climbing ladders or running out hoses. You’ll also learn about fire safety and prevention, and the ins and outs of the firefighter role. It’s the next best thing to being a real firefighter.

Many Fire Cadets say they feel much more confident and outgoing since starting to attend meetings and drills, and that they’ve made close friends with similar interests and values. Fire Cadets also play a key part in their local community by attending various events. This has included attending Remembrance Services and community events, and helping the local Fire Service with supporting local initiatives and charities.

From practical first aid and lifesaving skills, to employer-friendly attributes like teamwork and leadership abilities, you’ll gain many skills that will be invaluable to you in later life.

The Fire and Rescue Services in the Community Qualification

As a Fire Cadet you’ll work towards gaining BTECs in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community – real qualifications that could lead to a job in the future. BTECs, or Business and Technology Education Council qualifications, are specialist work-related qualifications that combine practical learning with both subject and theory content.

The Fire Cadets is a nationally recognised programme, so joining the cadets is a great way to impress universities and prospective employers in the future.

The BTECs you can achieve are:

Being a Fire Cadet

As a Fire Cadet you will be treated as a trainee firefighter. You’ll be learning the basic skills required to be a firefighter while participating in activity in and around your local Fire Station.

It involves dedication. You’ll be given your own uniform and fire kit (which you’ll need to take good care of!) and will be expected to attend a weekly drill night at your Fire Cadet Unit, which will include inspections. As a Fire Cadet, you’ll be expected to show discipline and commitment, just like a real firefighter.

In addition to weekly activities at your local station, you’ll have the chance to take part in a range of outdoor activities, camps, competitions and social trips.

Skills you’ll learn might include:

Sound like something you’d like to be part of? You can find out more on the UK Fire Cadets website. And remember, we’re here to answer any questions you might have about becoming a firefighter – it’s never too early to be prepared!