Three students from The Scots School, nine students from Carenne School and 14 Denison College of Secondary Education Kelso High Campus students took part in this year’s program.

The cadet teams braved the rain to compete in the hose and hydrant, relay pumping, knapsack relay and bucket brigade events.

“This works better in the sun, but we are an emergency service that works in all kinds of weather,” O’Connell RFS Brigade deputy captain Terry Neal said.

With the help of a couple of teachers, the event was run by volunteers who showed up each week for two hours to put the cadets through their paces.

The 10-week program introduced students to firefighting techniques with training devices that taught them all about teamwork.

“Many students are choosing to take part in this instead of sport,” O’Connell RFS Brigade membership officer Liz Lewis said.

The cadets were congratulated by Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and NSW RFS Chifley/Lithgow Team manager Superintendent Greg Sim for their successful completion of the NSW Rural Fire Service Secondary School Cadet Program.

Superintendent Sim said as well as examining fire behaviour, the students have been taught essential fire safety techniques and gained an appreciation of the work emergency services do every day in the state.

“The cadet program also offers students the opportunity to experience first-hand the commitment and camaraderie that comes with volunteering,” he said.

Students who have previously participated in the cadet program have often gone on to join a brigade because they have enjoyed what they’ve been learning and want to gain more experience.

“The service is proud to pass on the ideals of community service, dedication and teamwork to the next generation,” Superintendent Sim said.