Cadets!!!

[firecadet911]

Hi all!

Ive been a fire cadet in Southern Alberta for the past two years and was wondering what departments currently have an active fire cadet academy? (I'm sure there's more than one in Canada!).

The cadet academy I was a member of is based over 4 semesters (2 years). Typically the first level is basic firefighting skills such as extinguishers, hose handling & evolutions, and vehicle extrication. The second level focuses on more advanced skillssuch as pumping, aerial apparatus, ventilation, and aquatics rescue. The third level is spent examining speciality areas of the department such as H.U.S.A.R. (heavy urban search and rescue), fire dispatch and airport firefighting. The fourth and final level prepares the cadet for recruitment. The cadets recieve training on résumé writing, interview skills and aptitude exams. At the end of every level the cadet must write an exam and pass a practical exam. (the pass mark for both is 80%).

Anyways, enough of my rambling, let me know what your cadet academy is like!!

[pumper]

ITS A PROGRAM ID LIKE TO GET GOING HERE IN MUSKOKA BUT DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT. WHAT IS THE AGE LIMITS ETC:

[FireEMTGuy]

You sure are lucky to have this program in your area, consider yourself privileged!

[firecadet911]

Hey pumper,

The current layout we have is as follows:
1) Minimum age of entry is 15 - maximum is eighteen
2) You must be enrolled in high school
3) Volunteer experience is an asset, but not required.

To enter you have to submit a résumé along with a five hundred word essay (max. five hundred - sounds easy but trust me, it's tough!!). If they like what they see you are invited to an interview. If you continue to do well then you recieve your offer. We do not run classes with more than sixteen cadets. We split the cadets into four - four cadet platoons for ease of coordination.

Hope this helps! If you have any more questions, please e-mail me at my firehall e-mail account!

[FireFly810]

Hey there,

I am an Air Cadet and I am curious is there a fire cadets or something like it?

If so where would I be able to find one in Alberta?:confused:

:)

[ndvfd_ff33]

Here in Nova Scotia.....If your a junior..When you turn 16 as long as you are accompanied by a member over the age of 19 you can attend the Nova Scotia Firefighters School and take level I and other courses

[Michael13]

we are thinking of starting at junior firefighters, but i dont know what kind of things they would be able to do. they cant go on calls. what kind of things do you have your cadets do?

[firecadet911]

Training, training, and even more training! The fire department also permits cadets to do community volunteering while representing the fire department. After so many hours (depends on what semester of training you are in) you are permitted to do a ride along with a pump crew, though this plan has yet to be completely approved. Basically we just did tonnes of training at the academy and had a chance to meet some firefighters and hear about their experiences. My only advice would be to make sure that you have the support of the majority of the fire department from all levels, whether it's the union, the firefighters, or administrative staff.

[bfrd22]

We looked into one of these for our dept about 2 yrs ago, Fairly indepth, No Support groups in Canada, We wanted to run it thru the Boy Scouts Explorer program (Same as in the States). Nada for Canada, We then looked on our own and contacted a number of posts in the states for guidance.

We then ran it past our insurance provider, The liabilities were major and the insurance was probhibitive for a small dept.

Cudo's to your area for puting this worth while program together,

[BillyBlazes]

I am with Toronto Fire and we have a fire department boy scout venturers program for kids.
It is run by F.F. Al Harris and it is fully supported by the chief and the department.

[Canadianblue]

I'm in Edmonton Police Service Cadets, which allows youth's between the ages of 14-21 to join. But I had no idea their were Fire Cadets. For police cadets we get to shoot off the Glocks, learn Police Self Defence, Drive the Police Cars, and get presentations from several different specialized police units.

[mcleodkent]

I first started my department at age 16. Been going every since. I'm now 21 and a Lieuteant. Hope more halls take on the junior program. You're setting kids up for the life ahead of them.

[Josh00]

yeah up in peace river,AB we have a really good junior program. The older ones, about 14-15 if your big enough to do the work, you can take NFPA fire courses which are taught at our firehall and at other fire departments in the area. We're a Fire/EMS integrated department so you get to see both sides as well as learn a about both.