Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

St Austell Fire Station at 17/03/2003 19:00

Executive Member Jill Ferrett Public Protection will be launching the new group of Fire Cadets at St Austell Fire Station on Monday evening.

The cadet scheme started in Cornwall during 1996 with the first branch opening at Newquay Fire Station. Due to the popularity of the group cadets were then recruited at Bude Fire Station a year later and Bodmin Fire Station in 2001. All cadets are recruited from school year 8 (12/13 year olds) and are immediately inducted into Fire Service life. The primary objectives for Cornwall County Fire Brigade Cadet Scheme are:

• To recruit young people and afford them the opportunity of joining a uniformed organisation
• To assist in each members development, both mentally and physically. Whilst promoting self discipline, social consciousness and community awareness.
• To foster a spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership
• To ensure the health, safety and welfare of members whilst in the care of Cornwall County Fire Brigade

Station Officer Steve Halstead explains “Above all membership of the cadet movement for cadets and instructors alike is fun.

He cont: “The cadets take part in many activities including fire service drills appropriate to their age and experience, first aid, fire safety, outward bounds and an annual camp. They can also work towards a BTEC Qualification in firefighting skills”

The running cost of the scheme is borne by each branch via fund raising and sponsorship. Much of the funds are raised through the local community and businesses with all instructors, who are both uniformed and non-uniformed members of the Brigade, giving their time freely.

Cadets also assist the Brigade with Community Fire Safety Campaigns by designing slogans and posters.

Last year cadets from Newquay, Bodmin and Bude were provided with an overview of how Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s Fairness Group works. The main focus of the day was to inform the cadets about how issues surrounding fairness and equality affect the fire service and to get them thinking about how we can promote recruitment to under-represented groups within the Fire Service.

The cadets designed some very eye-catching posters which will be used for an upcoming awareness campaign.

Executive Member Jill Ferrett says: “The cadet scheme has proved to be very popular and I am delighted that it has now been extended to St Austell”

She cont: “My thanks go to Members of the Fire Service for giving both their time and efforts to make this possible”

Executive Member Jill Ferrett and Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell will be officially launching the new cadet group on Monday evening. After speeches the cadets will be met in a line-up. The cadets will then demonstrate the skills they have learnt in a ten minute drill.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire/Youth/cadets.htm