London Fire Brigade Cadets gain practical skills at firefighting weekend

Securitas UK has once again welcomed graduate London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets for its annual firefighting weekend, giving young people the opportunity to develop their skills through a series of realistic training exercises.

Now in its ninth year, the annual event saw 16 candidates take part in three days of practical training at the Capita Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, supported by representatives from Securitas UK and the London Fire Brigade.

The weekend gave participants the opportunity to put their existing training into practice through a range of challenging scenarios designed to develop their practical skills, teamwork and confidence.

How the programme helps put newly acquired skills into practice

Across the programme participants took part in a varied programme of practical exercises, including hose and ladder drills and breathing apparatus training.

They were also faced with simulated emergency scenarios, including a road traffic accident and a chip shop fire, requiring them to draw on their training and work together in more realistic and challenging situations.

The weekend concluded with an awards ceremony recognising the achievements and hard work of the cadets.

Mark Lester, Operations Director at Capita’s Fire Service College said: “At Capita’s Fire Service College, we are proud to work alongside Securitas and the London Fire Brigade in supporting fire cadets and the vital role they play in the future of our sector. Through realistic training environments, expert instruction and immersive experiences, we support to provide young people a genuine insight into the fire and rescue service, inspiring the next generation of emergency service professionals and community leaders.”

Providing realistic firefighting scenarios in a controlled training environment

The annual weekend forms part of Securitas UK’s longstanding relationship with London Fire Brigade, working alongside it to give cadets the opportunity to build on their training and experience some of the challenges faced by operational firefighters, providing Fire Cadets with an opportunity to experience realistic firefighting scenarios in a controlled training environment.

Paul Rankin, Director of Fire & Aviation at Securitas UK, said: “It has been incredibly inspiring to see what these young cadets have achieved over the course of the weekend. The confidence, teamwork and determination they’ve demonstrated should make them all incredibly proud.

“At Securitas, we’re committed to creating positive impacts in the communities we serve, and that’s why our partnership with the London Fire Brigade Cadet Weekend is so important. This year marks nine years of supporting this fantastic programme, helping young people develop valuable skills, build confidence and explore future opportunities.

“Experiences like this can be truly life changing. Whether these cadets go on to careers in the emergency services or choose a different path, the skills and experiences they’ve gained here will stay with them for years to come. Congratulations to every cadet who has taken part and thank you to everyone who has helped make the weekend such a success.”

London Fire Brigade’s Fire Cadets programme is open to young people aged 13 to 17, giving them the opportunity to learn firefighting and life skills while developing their confidence, leadership and teamwork. To date, more than 3,500 young people have completed the programme since it began in 2013, with more than 150 former cadets going on to secure employment with the London Fire Brigade.