BASINGSTOKE Fire Cadets are looking to welcome new members and volunteers in after its recent passing-out parade.
Basingstoke Fire Cadets celebrated its passing-out parade on Thursday, December 14, to mark the completion of the 40-week cadet programme and celebrate the achievement.
It is a uniformed youth organisation which inspires and empowers young people to be the best they can be. It is open to all young people aged 13 to 17 and is a nationally recognised programme, delivered through fire and rescue services.
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During the programme, the Fire Cadets undertake a mixture of challenges and training including firefighting drills, first aid training and getting to grips with real-life firefighting equipment. They also represent the service in community projects and learn new skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking for volunteer instructors to help run the cadet units out of Basingstoke and Rushmoor Fire Station.
The volunteer role is open to members of the community, who can support and mentor young people in developing their skills, knowledge and personal development, enabling them to become effective role models in the community, as well as progressing positively into education, employment or further training.
This role requires individuals who can commit to volunteering every week and occasional weekends. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will provide volunteers with full training, management support, personal development and uniform.
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Fire cadets next 40-week programme will be starting January 2024, and has a few spaces still open at its Basingstoke unit for young people aged between 13 and 17.
Basingstoke Fire Cadets Watch Manager, Josh Cain, said: "Cadets has been a very important part of my life since I joined in 2022. Some people may see it as only learning how to spray water and climb ladders, but it is so much more, it teaches so much more, it means so much more and it has given every person who has taken part a new perspective and outlook on life.
"It is difficult to put into words the monumental amount of support displayed and shown by all our instructors, who each work tirelessly to create the outstanding programme cadets is. Each week the young people look forward to Cadets, they look forward to learning new things and having fun.
"Each session holds something new and exciting - one week we are rescuing dummies from a tower and the next we are reeling out hoses and climbing ladders. When the time comes at the end of the year each of the cadets shed a tear looking back on the excitement and fullness of the year.
The cadet programme has given each person valuable life skills not only to be used around the fire service but in the outside world. It truly does and has turned the shyest young people into confident and outgoing characters and every young person comes out with a new sense of pride not only for themselves but for each other.
HIWFRS Fire Cadet Manager Clair Hayward said: "We are incredibly proud of all the units passing out and their achievements over the last year.
"I would like to congratulate them all on completing this journey as a Fire Cadet and for the determination they have shown to complete the programme. The resilience and commitment to Fire Cadets is highly commendable."
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