Joining Fire Cadets.

What is Fire Cadets?

Fire Cadets is a free, nationally recognised programme that offers young people the opportunity to gain a real qualification, and develop their confidence and personal skills. It's a bit like Scouts or Guides – only you'll gain real-world skills, make lots of new friends, learn to work as a team, and have a lot of fun along the way. And yes, you do get to have a go on a fire engine... 

Fire Cadets in 3 minutes – watch our video. 

Meet real cadets, get an idea of what it's like, and see what's in it for you! 

5 reasons to join Fire Cadets

First and foremost, because it's really good fun. But there are lots of other reasons too: 

1. Learn new things – from hands-on skills like running out hoses and climbing ladders to how to work really well in a team. 
2. Become more confident – lots of our Fire Cadets say they feel much more confident and outgoing. 
3. Make new friends – firefighters say the fire service is a bit like a family (in a good way!) and our cadets are 100% part of the Brigade. 
4. Get ahead in interviews – whether you want to go to Uni or college or go straight into work, you'll have a unique experience to talk about, and a great reference too. 
5. Work towards a BTEC Level 2 in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community – a real qualification that could lead to a job in the future.

You can join from age 11 as a Junior Fire Cadet*, and there are lots of development opportunities to aspire to, including Officer Cadets, Marine Cadets, join the Ceremonial Team, or apply to become a Fire Cadet Ambassador! Explore the Fire Cadet journey here. 

How often do we meet up?

Cadets attend a local fire station one evening a week, working alongside Brigade and community volunteers.

Where can I join Fire Cadets?

You can currently join Fire Cadets in Bromley, Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Westminster.

*Junior Fire Cadets is a programme in Barking and Dagenham and Bromley and will be available from early 2020.

If you have a question or you'd like to see what our Fire Cadets are up to at the moment, find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.