North Wales Fire and Rescue Service launched its new National Fire Cadets scheme at the National Eisteddfod on today (Tuesday 8^th August).

The National Fire Cadets is an educational youth organisation run by Fire and Rescue Services in partnership with the Chief Fire Officers Association.

The aim of the scheme is to create safer, stronger communities through developing an individual’s knowledge and awareness of their community to enhance citizenship skills.

The initiative provides an opportunity for young people between 11 and 18 to achieve nationally recognised qualifications such as a BTEC Level 2 in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community and vocational certificates of achievement in a variety of areas.

Young people are taught various skills including teamwork, problem solving and communication alongside enhanced life skills to strengthen their employability.

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager, said: “We have had Young Firefighters branches here for years but we have now moved over to the National Cadets Scheme as well as most other fire and rescue services in the UK.

“This new scheme is a national scheme where the instructors will guide the cadets through a recognised course to enable them to learn new skills and achieve a qualification at the same time.

“Young people will benefit in many ways by joining the cadets scheme to help build their confidence, learn about respect and working as part of a team.”

There are eight units in North Wales which are:

• Amlwch
• Beaumaris
• Chirk
• Conwy
• Llanfairfechan
• Prestatyn
• Pwllheli
• Ruthin

Cadet units meet once a week at their local fire station – below are their meeting nights:

Amlwch – Monday evening

Beaumaris - Tuesday evening

Conwy – Monday evening

Chirk – Thursday evening

Llanfairfechan - Wednesday and Thursday evenings

Prestatyn – Wednesday evening

Pwllheli – Wednesday evening

Ruthin – Thursday evening

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming a Fire Cadet or would like more information please email nationalfirecadets@nwales-fireservice.org.uk or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk