Twelve Gosford cadet firefighters celebrate graduation

Today twelve students from Kariong Mountains High School have successfully completed the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Secondary School Cadet Program.

NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald said that the program was the ideal way to introduce young people to the important role volunteer firefighters play within communities. "Over nine weeks these cadets have learnt skills that will last a lifetime. "As well as examining fire behaviour, the students have been taught essential fire safety techniques and gained an appreciation of the work our emergency services do every day in this State. "The Program also offers students the opportunity to experience first-hand the commitment and camaraderie that comes with volunteering. This is the first time that Kariong Mountains High School has offered the NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program to its students and it's great to see genuine enthusiasm for this important community based program," said Assistant Commissioner McDonald. Assistant Commissioner McDonald also paid tribute to the staff and volunteers from the Gosford team who facilitated the course. "NSW RFS members have worked hard throughout the course to teach and mentor these young people to be active members of their community. "In addition to our NSW RFS members, I would also like to extend a special thanks to the Principal Ms Anne Vine, teachers and staff from Kariong Mountains High School for helping to make this Program such a success. "NSW RFS members thoroughly enjoy working closely with schools and communities to ensure that everyone is as well prepared as possible for the very real threat of fire. Our firefighters cannot do it alone. "The Service is proud to pass on the ideals of community service, dedication and teamwork to the next generation, said Assistant Commissioner McDonald.