Thirty-two cadets from four schools competed in the annual championship held at Portland on Thursday.

The Secondary School Cadet Program provides students with an introduction to basic firefighting as well as leadership, teamwork and initiative skills.

Scots entered two teams – ‘Black’ and ‘Gold’, Carenne School entered two teams, with one team each from Oberon High School and Portland Central School.

RFS Superintendent Greg Sim said all cadets performed extremely well.

“[They] undertook tasks involving hose drills, relay pumping, using knapsacks and even buckets in simulated firefighting activities,” he said.

Points were given for each timed event with Scots’ Black team coming up trumps.

Oberon High’s cadets came second, with Portland Central School in third place.

Each graduating cadet was presented with a Certificate of Attendance for completing the program.

“The success of the Secondary School Cadet Program, the championship and the graduation of the cadets is only possible with the great support, time and effort of our volunteers and the schools involved,” Superintendent Sim said.

“Some cadets have already joined their local Rural Fire Brigade and it is hoped that more of the cadets takes advantage of this introduction in to the NSW RFS and becomes future members of their nearest Rural Fire Brigade.

“They have done themselves, and their school, proud.”

The Secondary School Cadet Program has been running since 2005 in the Chifley Lithgow Team area and will commence again in 2017.