Cadet Program going strong in Warringah

NSW RFS Superintendent Craig Geddes said the eager year nine and 10 students have learnt vital fire safety skills that will last a lifetime.

"The students at Davidson High School were very responsive to the intensive ten week course and welcomed the chance to gain new practical skills as well as learning about bush, grass and house fires.

"This course is unique because it not only covers a broad range of hands on firefighting skills like how to use a firefighting hose, it also instils students with important values like commitment, leadership and team work.

"Four of the students who graduated today have received a Certificate of Attainment, which means they are halfway to becoming a qualified firefighter with the NSW RFS. I was also delighted to hear that one student has already joined a local brigade," said Superintendent Geddes.

Superintendent Geddes said a particular highlight of the course was when paramedics, firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW and members of the Defence Force joined NSW RFS firefighters to give the students an insight into how the emergency services in NSW work together.

"The young people enjoyed the opportunity to ask a range of professionals about their jobs, why they do it and what students can do to start working towards a full-time job in their chosen field.

Superintendent Geddes described the cadets as an inspiration to their fellow students at the school as well as other young people in the Warringah Pittwater area.

"The NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program is going from strength to strength at Davidson High School, with this being the second year students have elected to take part in the Program.

"In addition to the dedicated volunteers who have run the course, I would also like to extend a special thanks to the Principal and staff from Davidson High School for helping make the Cadet Program such a success," said Superintendent Geddes.

Superintendent Geddes said more than 4,000 students across the State had successfully completed the NSW RFS Secondary Schools Cadet Program since its launch six years ago.