Campbell County Fire Cadet Program

The Campbell County Fire Cadet Program is designed to allow twenty-five to thirty students ages 14-18, the opportunity to learn about the fire service, earn their fire fighter certification, and become an active volunteer in their community. Our cadets have been around since 1991 and have acquired many distinguished honors since their inception. Former cadets have gone onto become Interagency Hotshots with the U.S. Forest Service, heli-rappellers on wildland fires, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, officers in the fire service, and many have moved onto the career firefighter ranks in Campbell County. In 2000 the Campbell County Cadets were honored by being chosen as the top cadet program in the United States. The cadets have logged in countless volunteer hours providing a significant benefit to CCFD. Cadets participate in the 4th of July festivities, the Annual Tree Burn, MDA Fill the Boot, and various other CCFD community events. The opportunity also exists for the cadets to visit places such as Storm King Mountain, Mann Gulch, and the Big Horn Mountains to learn about firefighting as well as perform community service events such as trail building.

BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM

In this program, you will have the following benefits available to you, depending on your commitment in the program:

1. The opportunity to work with the Campbell County Fire Department and the opportunity to ride in fire department units during fire runs. You may also be allowed to partake in special events with other cadets and Campbell County Fire Fighters.
2. After you have held an active part in the membership for at least one year, and reach your sixteenth birthday you may have the opportunity for a summer job at the Fire Department.
3. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer fire fighter you may be allowed to become a member, with compensation, at the age of eighteen; however, you must first obtain your fire fighter certification and have belonged to the cadet program for at least one year. The amount of commitment you put into this program will determine whether or not you will be considered for a position as a volunteer.

COMMITMENT

In order to keep this program running, we must have as much support as possible. Here are some credentials that must be met.

1. All cadets must attend all business meetings and training classes if possible. The meetings will be held once a month and the trainings every first, third, and fifth Tuesday of every month. All meetings and trainings will be announced at least one week prior to the scheduled date so that each cadet can make arrangements
2. Each cadet will be recommended to take the Campbell Count Fire Fighter I certification test. Cadets have the option to attend the Fire Fighter I training classes and practicals, or they may study on their own. The training classes and practicals are recommended because they provide valuable information, which may help you pass the test. These classes are free and they usually meet for three hours one night a week. The dates of these classes will be posted prior to the class date.
3. Each cadet must participate in at least three community service activities a year. Some of these activities may include, but are not limited to: helping other organizations with fund raising, planned cadet activities, or helping the fire department with community projects. Each cadet will have many opportunities to accomplish this requirement.
4. All cadets are encouraged volunteer a few hours of their time to work at the fire station, after school or on days in which there is no school, which is mainly during vacations and breaks. Work Schedules will be provided for all cadets who are interested.

If you feel that you can meet these requirements, please fill out the application. You will be notified about your application as soon as the membership committee has discussed it. If your application is accepted, you will be asked to attend an interview with the membership committee. This interview will give the committee some more information that may help you become a member of the cadet program.

Thank you for your time and interest in our program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sam Clikeman at the Campbell County Fire Department (307) 682-5319.

CURRENT CADETS