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. 

Wondering what to expect? It's all covered here... 

How often do we meet up?

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

What happens at a Fire Cadets session?

The programme, which lasts 12 months, enables you to improve your confidence through team working and group activities. You will learn about the use of firefighting equipment and the incidents attended by London Fire Brigade, and get involved in activities like:

• basic first aid and what to do in an emergency.
• fire safety in the home and the community.
• youth social action activities to make your community safer and better.
• fundraising for local, national and international charities.
• supporting London Fire Brigade at open days and events.

You will also have the opportunity to gain a BTEC Level 2 Award in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community, as well as developing other transferable and practical skills that will help you with future training and employment.

There are different levels within Fire Cadets too – you can join as a Junior Fire Cadet from age 11*, and after completing your Cadet year at 14 you can develop your skills further as an Officer Fire Cadet, get on the fireboats as a Marine Fire Cadet, represent us at VIP events as part of our Ceremonial Team, or even help to shape our programme for the future as a Fire Cadet Ambassador. It's all explained on the Fire Cadet Journey page here.

Where can I join Fire Cadets?

Bromley, Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Croydon (including young people with Special Educational Needs), Greenwich, 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 from early in 2019 it will be available in Bromley.

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. 

Fire Cadets began in the early 1990's with two hundred units across the UK and more to come. In 2013 we were formally established as National Fire Cadets working within the framework of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). We are really proud to be part of a national network of young people, supported by adult volunteers, aiming to provide inclusive opportunities for young people to have fun and achieve their goals