Fire Cadets
Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service first Fire Cadet unit was established in 1993 at Witney Fire Station, the scheme has been steadily growing ever since and now there are five units across the county located at:
- Banbury Fire Cadets
- Kidlington Fire Cadets
- Slade Park Fire Cadets, Oxford
- Watlington Fire Cadets
- Witney Fire Cadets
Fire Cadets provide an opportunity for children aged 12 to 18 years, to meet one evening each week and follow a structured programme of core Fire and Rescue activities, delivered by a long established group of instructors. Each unit can accommodate 15-20 Fire Cadets.
Instructors for the Fire Cadets come from a range of backgrounds, which include Firefighters, Fire and Rescue Support Staff and also other individuals who do not work for the Fire and Rescue Service.
What they will achieve
Over the course of the training programme, Fire Cadets receive instruction in basic drills, similar to the drills a trainee Fire Fighter would receive. This allows the Fire Cadets to undertake regular physical activity which contributes to their overall health and fitness. By taking part in regular drills, Fire Cadets also build core skills such as communication and team work which will benefit them in their daily lives.
Fire Cadets are also given the opportunity to take part in additional activities at weekends and during the school holidays which include residential and local camps. This allows them to build further on the core skills, which are gained through the training sessions, as well as increasing confidence and resilience in facing new challenges.
The Fire Cadets programme also teaches basic community life skills training to its members, such as water awareness and basic first aid. These allow individuals to gain new life saving skills, which they may be called on to use in the community to help to assist a rescue. Fire Cadets are also given invaluable education in Risk Reduction, which they pass on to members of their local communities.
As a result in taking an active role as a Fire Cadet they will achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
Active in the community
In addition to the delivery of core Fire and Rescue Service related skills and general enhanced community safety awareness, the Fire Cadets play an active role within their local community.
This includes the demonstration of their knowledge and skills which they deliver at; open days, events, participation in remembrance parades, active participation in national car washes and various other activities.
Furthermore, the Fire Cadets are encouraged to become active members in their local communities by volunteering their time
Positive effects of the scheme
As a result of this scheme Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service will improve the future prospects of many young people, enhance its relationships with communities, which in turn will reap the rewards by having more active, more safety conscious and responsible young people.
Each year awards are presented to the “Fire Cadet of the Year” and the “Most Improved Fire Cadet of the Year”
Our Fire Cadets scheme is about having fun as well as learning. We are not confined solely to Fire and Rescue Service activities and participate in a variety of other activities such as:
- camping
- canoeing
- ice skating
- ten pin bowling
- with visits to:
- Theme parks
- London Fire Museum
- And the Imperial War Museum.
Interested in finding out more?
If you know someone who is interested in joining a Fire Cadet scheme as a Cadet, an Instructor, or would like to know more about their activities please contact your local fire station or:
Lorraine Waknell
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Abingdon Fire Station
Ock Street
Abingdon
Oxon
OX14 5DH
Mobile: 07831170296
Fax: 01235 532578
email: lorraine.waknell@oxfordshire.gov.uk
