The recent fires on Kangaroo Island and at Cudlee Creek have sparked a wave of interest in joining the Country Fire Service and its cadet program on the Fleurieu.

The cadet program runs through the Hindmarsh Valley CFS unit and has been in place for 10 years.  Many of its graduates are now fully-fledged firefighters across the state.

Local co-ordinator Emily Pettman says the cadets complete basic firefighting units and help with fundraising and other activities.  As well as learning skills and helping their community, cadets can also gain valuable points towards their Year 12 SACE certificate.

“We also try to incorporate some fun stuff as well,” she says.  “Games and other activities.”

Hindmarsh Valley CFS Captain Ben Pettman has just returned from another rotation at the Kangaroo Island fire grounds. He says the training provided at cadet level proves very useful.

“We basically teach them everything we teach the firefighters," he explains. 

“The benefit of them coming up through the cadet program is they’ve got knowledge and experience before they become a firefighter.

“When you get a new firefighter as an adult - they come in, they do their training course and they’re allowed to go out straight away with only a month or two’s experience, but the kids that are coming up have got three or four years. 

“It’s good because they’ve got experience.  Just not fire ground experience.”

To find out more about the CFS cadets contact Emily on 0431 855 277 or via email. Meetings are held fortnightly during term time, on Wednesdays from 6.30pm, and there are no fees.  The first meeting for 2020 will be held during the first week of the school year.