Fire Cadets

Our volunteer instructors all receive drill yard supervision training to enable them to teach the young people the skills they need for the programme, such as running out hoses, climbing ladders and using breathing apparatus.

Find out more about our volunteer cadet instructors.

Cadets will complete a BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Fire and Rescue in the Community during their time on the programme.  This is a vocational qualification developed in collaboration with the UK Fire Cadets and recognised the key skills young people practice while progressing through the Fire Cadets national syllabus.  They will also achieve a First Aid at Work qualification.  There is no expectation for work to be completed at home.

As part of their BTEC qualification, cadets must complete a minimum of three social actions throughout the year.  These social actions enable Cadets to get involved in helping their local communities, raising money for charities or providing a helping hand.  Social actions often take place at weekends.

At the end of the cadet programme, cadets are given the opportunity to apply to extend their time with the programme by becoming a Crew Manager.  The Crew Manager role is a young leader within each unit, who supports and mentors the current cadets.

At the end of the Crew Manager year, they can apply to become a Watch Manager.  The Watch Manager is a mentor for the Crew Managers and supports the leadership team within each unit.

For both the Crew and Watch Manager positions, Cadets are requested to apply for the opportunity, where they will go through a recruitment process, which will include an expression of interest, instructor report and interview with a presentation.  Places for these roles are extremely limited.

Crew and Watch Managers are expected to represent the service at National events alongside other Services.

Ambassador Programme

Our new Ambassador programme will be opening in March 2026 – please watch this space for more information!  This Ambassador programme will enable our Crew and Watch Managers to apply to extend their time with us, representing the Service at local and National events.  Ambassadors will complete an Ambassador Award during their time with us.

Uniform consisting of shirt, t-shirt, trousers, jacket and shoes are all provided.  Cadets are required to provide a plain black belt and wear black socks.  All uniform remains the property of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and is on a loan basis for the duration of the time they are with us.  All uniform must be returned when the cadet leaves the programmes.

Shoes are expected to be clean and polished and uniform nicely ironed, this is the responsibility of the cadets to ensure that they are presentable.  Long hair should be tied back at all times.

Cadets should arrive and leave in their uniform but it must not be worn outside of these times without prior consent from the Fire Cadet Delivery Manager.

PPE kit is allocated to each cadet and will remain on site at the Station.