SUNDRE – A young group of prospective firefighters represents the Sundre Fire Department’s largest-ever cadet class.
The cadets are all at least 16 years old and in grades 10 to 12. Earlier in February, they received their bunker equipment at the hall, where they took part in training on donning and doffing – essentially the refined art of methodically gearing up as quickly as possible and later the proper procedure for removing, cleaning and storing gear afterward – as well as using self-contained breathing apparatus.
Those who successfully complete the program will have obtained skills to open doors to potential career paths with full-time departments or even the local paid on-call volunteer roster, said Chief Ross Clews.
Several of the department’s members have stuck around since they were cadets, he said.
One of them is his son, Alex Clews, who has since gone onto become a deputy fire chief.
“I did the cadet program back in 2008 and then became a full-fledged member in 2010 when I turned 18,” Alex said during an interview.
This year’s program initially had 18 students express interest with 15 ultimately committing to the nine-week course, he said.
“That makes it the largest class that we’ve had to date,” he said.
After finishing the nine weeks of training, the cadets must pass an exam that includes both a written and practical portion. The program provides value to both the department, which stands to gain new members, as well as the participants, who not only earn three high school credits upon successfully completing the program but also acquire a skillset that opens doors to potential career paths, he said.
“As soon as they turn 18, they can start responding and they are fully competent to assist us senior firefighters with our job on scene,” he said.
“There’s no entry training and exam for them; they’ve already completed it, and everybody that has trained them or worked with them is familiar with their capabilities … it turns right into a perfect fit.”
Although the cadets do not go on calls until they’re 18, the course introduces them to all of the basics including safe handling of ladders and hoses as well as entry-level vehicle extrication; however, higher-end technical skills such as live fire training doesn’t start until they turn 18, he said.
“But we’ll do room searches and familiarize them with that kind of stuff,” he said. “That way, if they decide to stick around, it’s not much of a transition and they’re ready to rock.”
Cadets also begin to build bonds as they start to develop a sense of camaraderie with the members while they also get of sense of how it feels to serve their community, he said.
“I think that’s a very valuable thing that they take away from this program.”
And any cadet who upon completing the course decides to further pursue a potential career also has available to them the option of taking in-house training to earn certification under the National Fire Protection Association 1001 standard.
“It kind of gets their foot in the door if they want to join any emergency response agency … it gives them a leg up compared to somebody just walking off the street,” he said.
“If they move to another community, they’re already that step ahead. And if they stick with the program and we run a 1001 course, they’re already internationally certified as a professional firefighter, so they can walk right into a department and add a bunch of value in that aspect.”
