New Fire Cadet group to open in Norfolk

Forty-two years ago the first Fire Cadet unit in the UK was opened in Fakenham and now there are 15 spaces for young people ages 13-17.

Norfolk currently has three cadet units based in Diss, Hunstanton and Wymondham, where groups of 13–17-year-olds get a taster of the life of a firefighter by attending weekly drill nights at a fire station.

A fire cadet can expect to learn the practical skills needed to become a firefighter, such as hose running, latter safety and first aid, as well as qualities such as self-discipline, teamwork and citizenship.

Rolling back

Fakenham Fire Station will soon be joining that list, with spaces for 15 fire cadets opening up at a fourth cadet for unit for Norfolk. The £28,000 funding for the new unit was the largest award issued from the grant for a single cadet unit in the UK and is part of a wider investment £500,000 grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to increase the number of fire cadets nationally.

Expressions of interest for the new Fakenham unit are invited from 13-17-year-olds from across Norfolk from today, with the window closing on Monday 9 February.

Group Manager Terry Pinto oversees the Fire Cadet Programme for Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service. He said: “Fakenham was the location for the UK’s first fire cadet unit in 1984, so reopening this is not just a positive for engaging with young people, but an important nod to our service’s heritage. I’d like to thank all the crews and volunteers at Fakenham for their support in securing the funding and getting this up and running.

Cadets briefing

“The unit is based in Fakenham but we’re welcoming applications from all over the county, so if you know someone aged 13-17 who might want to try something they haven’t done before, become part of a team, and learn new some skills, then please encourage them to send us an expression of interest.”

Expressions of interest to join Norfolk Fire Cadets can be made via the cadets page on the Norfolk County Council website: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/cadets

Images: Ian Burt