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Firefighters, non-operational Brigade staff and adults from communities across London volunteer their time, skills and experience to help support each Cadet, helping hundreds of young Londoners to be the best they can.
Meet real Cadets, get an idea of what it's like, and see whether volunteering might be for you.
Fire Cadets for Volunteers – watch our video and meet current Fire Cadets.
First and foremost, because it's really rewarding, and really good fun. But there are lots of other reasons too:
Volunteers typically help one evening a week, which varies depending on where the course is held. Your help may also be needed for occasional weekends.
The programme, which lasts 12 months, helps young people build their confidence while also learning about:
the use of firefighting equipment and the incidents attended by London Fire Brigade.
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.
In return, you have the opportunity to gain a range of transferable skills as well as having the chance to complete a number of accredited courses including:
Drill Yard Supervision – how to safely supervise practical activities performed by the Cadets on our drill yard.
Safeguarding Children – a bespoke course designed specifically for the emergency services, which identifies what is meant by safeguarding and child abuse, and helps you spot the signs and know how to respond.
Managing Challenging Behaviour – identifying and making correct and consistent responses to challenging behaviours.
BTEC Assessor – how to assess our BTEC Level 2 Award in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community which is completed by our young people.
Our volunteers don't need to have experience of working with young people, just a passion for helping change a young person's life for the better. There are some practical requirements too. To join us, you'll need:
All volunteers are, of course, required to complete mandatory training including an induction into London Fire Brigade, safeguarding children, managing challenging behaviour and assessing our BTEC, as well as undergoing an enhanced DBS check.
Bromley, Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Croydon (including for 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 also be available in Bromley.
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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.
