St Edmund’s cadet firefighters celebrate graduation

Summary

Twenty one students from St Edmund's High School were today congratulated for their successful completion of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Secondary School Cadet Program.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the entire St Edmund's Year 9 grade completed the 10 week program, which teaches students about the important role volunteer firefighters play within communities as well as practical firefighting skills.

"Not only does this course cover skills such as using a firefighting hose, but it also teaches students about commitment, leadership, teamwork and introduces them to the camaraderie that comes with volunteering," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

This course was tailored to meet the needs of the students at St Edmund's, which is a school for teenagers with a wide range of disabilities including sensory impairment, intellectual disability and autism.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons thanked the St Edmund's High School teachers and staff for providing their students with the opportunity to be a part of the NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program.

"I would particularly like to thank St Edmund's High School Principal Kathy Freeman for helping to make the cadet program such a success and I am pleased to learn it will be an ongoing part of the school's syllabus," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"I would also like to wholeheartedly congratulate each and every one of the 21 students who have graduated from this course today."

Commissioner Fitzsimmons also paid tribute to the 10 Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai and Warringah district volunteers and staff who organised and conducted the course.

"It is great to see such genuine enthusiasm for this important community based program and the Service is proud to pass on the ideals of community service, dedication and teamwork to the next generation," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

More than 5000 students across NSW have successfully completed the NSW RFS Secondary Schools Cadet Program.