Volunteering with Fire Cadets

We are currently recruiting Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructors for our Rushmoor and Sandown units. Complete an application today!

The Fire Cadets programme is delivered by volunteer firefighters, other fire service staff and adults from the local community. They help run our Cadet Units, from leading sessions, mentoring the young people or helping with the administration of the unit.

Our volunteers are aged 18 or over and have an interest in helping young people develop and achieve their potential. They have strong communication skills and the desire to develop and maintain positive relationships with young people. All our volunteers have an Enhanced DBS check prior to their involvement with our cadet units.

What is the commitment?

Fire Cadets meet for two hours, one evening a week at a local fire station during school term time. They are a part of a team rota but do not have to attend every week. Occasionally they are involved with weekend events. They need to complete an induction and other training courses to ensure they are well-equipped to deliver the programme and BTEC qualification.

Find out more about the role here.

Volunteer stories

Hear what our Fire Cadet volunteers have to say…

The Fire Cadets programme is delivered by volunteer firefighters, non-operational fire service staff and adults from the local community. There are a large number of different ways in which you can volunteer to help a Cadet Unit, from leading sessions, to being a role model and mentoring the young people or helping it the administration of the unit.

Name: Jane

Fire Cadet volunteering role: Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor  

How long have you been volunteering with HIWFRS?

“I’ve been volunteering as a Fire Cadet Instructor at Rushmoor since October 2024.”

What inspired you to volunteer with HIWFRS?

“I was looking at volunteer roles because I’d changed jobs and was working from home full time. I still wanted to get out and see people and interact with others. I’ve never volunteered for anything before, and I wanted to give something back. Every volunteer role I looked at previously required weekend support and with family life this would be too much for me. I work Monday- Friday full time too.

Then I saw an ad on Facebook for the Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor role. At first, I thought, it wasn’t for me but then it kept appearing, so I had a closer look. The time commitment of just two Wednesdays a month and one or two Saturdays a year really appealed to me, and Rushmoor is only a few miles from home.

My own children have attended all sorts of clubs over the years run solely by volunteers, so I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and give something back too.

My daughter joined the Rushmoor Fire Cadets back in September too and she’s absolutely loving it!”

Tell us more about your background and what you’ve done so far?

“This first year is all about learning as the intensive training weekend we had to start was brilliant, but it was a bit of a crash course in everything. At the moment I’ve been attending cadet sessions weekly to build on my learning and experience.

I’m the only Instructor at Rushmoor without fire-related experience but I think I bring something different to the role.

I worked in a school for 10 years in the premises and facilities, so I’m used to being around young people and I’m quite practical. I like getting the fire cadets to think outside the box and look at different ways to solve problems/overcome obstacles.”

Are there any highlights so far?

“One of the cadets was terrified of heights and when we did ladder training, she got up 4 rounds of the ladder (an amazing achievement considering how scared she was), and then she needed help getting down. I asked her if she had a loft at home and she did, so I suggested going up to sit in the loft to get used to the height and come down the ladder.  The following week when we were doing ladder training, she got all the way to the top and (with encouragement and support) came all the way down again.

Our cadets group are awesome, and they were all cheering her on too! That was a moment when I felt like a proud parent.

What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with HIWFRS?

“I would say just go for it as it’s a lot of fun! The intensive weekend training for the Cadet Instructor role is quite hard, especially if you don’t come from a fire background, but people shouldn’t let that stop them. Although I don’t have a fire background myself, I bring different skills to the team. I get so much out of volunteering with fire cadets, I’ve had some great experiences, and I’ve learnt so much.”

Name: Finn

Occupation: Retained Firefighter at Gosport

Fire Cadet volunteering role: Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor  

How long have you been volunteering with the Service?

“I originally started as a Fire Cadet in Gosport in 2019.  After a year or so, I progressed to becoming a Crew Manager, and then became a Watch Manager the following year. I’ve been a Fire Cadet Volunteer Instructor at Gosport for about a year now.”

What inspired you to volunteer with HIWFRS?

“I think it was the knowledge I gained from my own instructors that inspired me. After my own experience and time as a cadet, I wanted to pass that knowledge onto the next cohort of cadets and give something back.”

Can you tell us more about your volunteer role? What activities have you been involved in?

“The Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructor role takes up around 3 hours per week but it’s so rewarding.
It’s good to see the cadets from when they start out, most of them quite shy and then see how their confidence grows and they build friendships and get better at teamwork.

It can involve anything from drill yard training (hoses and ladders) to teaching the cadets about fire prevention and paperwork.
It’s also a chance to build on your own leadership skills.”

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering?

“I think seeing the development the cadets go through is the most rewarding thing for me and for them as well because, it’s their course, they get a qualification out of it, and they grow their confidence and team building skills too. I also really enjoy teaching.”

Are there any highlights that stand out?

“A couple stand out. One of the new cadets wasn’t too keen on hose reel running when they started, so we moved onto ladder drills. Once they were confident with the ladder drills, they then went back to the hoses and persevered until they improved. It’s great to see the cadets progress in this way and build up their skills.

Another highlight was receiving a Christmas card from one of the Fire Cadets last year with a heartfelt message saying that we are an inspiration and he wants to join the fire service. Before that I hadn’t really considered myself to be a role model.”

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about volunteering with HIWFRS?

“I would say just join up as it’s definitely worth it. It also allows you to build on your own skills and teaching ability.”