Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets
[Jim King, NESC Deputy Unit Commander, Daventry Unit]: I would recommend young people to join the Emergency Services Cadet Scheme because it gives you a very unique opportunity to see and learn about the emergency services in our county.
[Carys, Grade 1 Cadet]: I’ve made some of my best, like my bestest friends at cadets. I honestly couldn’t fault it. I’ve got so many people that I wouldn’t have been able to call my friends before this, and it’s just been such an amazing journey.
[Paige, High Sheriff Cadet 2024]: I joined Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadets when I was 13 years old. I was really attracted to the cadets as I’ve always had an ambition to join the police force. I’m now 17 years old so I’ve gone through the whole programme here.
[Liam Tearl, Cadet Leader, Wellingborough Unit]: Being part of the cadet scheme, you will get to do things in life which you would never be able to do in any kind of mainstream education. So ultimately you get to experience the police services, the fire service and our colleagues in the ambulance service, learning what a career in these environments can then give you.
[Ana Pereira, NESC Unit Commander, Corby Unit]: So we go out to the community. We support the community. We support the police, ambulance and fire. We get to do a remembrance parade. We go to visit the custody suite. We go to visit the control room. There’s always so many things to do.
[Adam Jeskins, NESC Unit Commander, Towcester & EMAS]: We’re looking for people aged 13, up to about 16 to come and get a flavour of what the police service do, what the fire and rescue service do and what the ambulance service does.
[Zawati, Grade 2 EMAS Cadet]: I really enjoy it a lot actually. It’s been a chance to kind of learn a lot of new things. I enjoy learning. It builds discipline, confidence. It allows you to meet a lot more people.
[Liam, Grade 2 Cadet]: I originally always wanted to be a firefighter, and then I’ve seen on social media the emergency service cadets and I thought that was a great path to go along.
[Ben, Grade 1 EMAS Cadet]: So what I enjoy as an emergency services cadet is the hands on experience that I gain week on, week out, putting what I’ve learnt into practice both in classroom scenarios as well as out in the community as well with all the events that we go to and help out with.
[Carys]: I want to help, I want to be of service to people, and I think the Emergency Services Cadets is just amazing for that.
[Paige]: So I joined cadets as quite a shy young people who didn’t say anything, and now I’m a very bubbly outgoing person who can never really stop talking.
[Jim]: As part of the scheme in general, I’ve noticed and recognised how our cadets build confidence and the ability to teamwork. It’s a really good opportunity as well just to make friends and have fun.
[Carys]: If you’re looking for something to do, I would absolutely say come and join the Emergency Services Cadets. It’s just amazing.
The Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadets (NESC) were established in 2016. A joint partnership between the county’s police, fire, and ambulance service, the cadets are open to teenagers aged 13 to 18 (school years 9 - 13) and offers young people the chance to take an active role in supporting the work of our emergency services whilst making a positive contribution to their communities.
As a Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadet, you will represent all three of the emergency services across the county, before having the choice to dedicate yourself to one or two specialisms, if you wish, at the conclusion of year one.
"It's a privilege to be associated with such a great team of young people. The cadets play an integral part in supporting the our communities and helping with local neighbourhood priorities." Nick Paul, Citizens in Policing Sergeant
The meetings follow a set curriculum where you will take part in activities relevant to all three services, as well as supporting and representing each service at community events.
We currently have six cadet units in Northamptonshire that meet on a weekly basis between 6pm and 9pm – Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Daventry, Towcester, and Corby (only for pupils of Kingswood Secondary Academy, please apply with them directly).
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Why should I join?
As a cadet you will:
- Receive training in all elements of emergency services
- Learn transferable skills such as excellent communication tools and broaden your knowledge of public services
- Make positive contributions towards public safety
- Meet new and interesting people and develop new friendships
- Open up opportunities for future careers in any of the three services
As an Emergency Services Cadet, you will be expected to attend a weekly session at your chosen location and show a certain amount of discipline and commitment. To be a part of the cadets, there is a monthly subscription of £10 with an upfront cost of £50 for your uniform.
In the weekly sessions, you will have the opportunity to learn many of the skills used by firefighters, police officers, and ambulance staff and will undertake social action activities within your community.
It is both rewarding and challenging being a part of the cadets and will enable you the chance to:
- Gain an insight into the history and structure of the police, fire and ambulance service
- Learn self-discipline and the importance of teamwork
- Undertake challenges and learn how to problem solve
- Participate in community events with a wide range of partner agencies
If you’re over 18 and interested in the Emergency Services, why not consider a role as a Cadet Leader?
Each of our units is run by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic Cadet Leaders who volunteer their own time to help run the group. The units meet for one evening a week throughout the academic year at designated locations and follow the Northamptonshire Emergency Cadet programme which covers essential learning experiences taken from the police, fire and ambulance service world. It is taught through an exciting curriculum involving …
How long are the sessions?
The Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadet evenings last for approximately three hours a week. You don’t have to commit to volunteering every week, however a strong commitment to the role is required.
You will also be expected to volunteer a minimum of three additional hours per month in support of operations and social actions events with the cadets.
What skills are we looking for?
Anyone can apply to be a Cadet Leader, you do not need to be a part of the Emergency Services to apply. We are looking for those with:
- Good communication skills
- Confidence, commitment, flexibility, and enthusiasm
- The ability to work well with young people and as part of a team
All our Cadet Leaders take part in an induction to help them understand their role and how the force and services work, along with training on how to use specialist databases and IT systems.
If you’re interested in becoming a Cadet Leader, please email [email protected]
Applications for NESC open each spring, with successful applicants joining their units the following September. Applicants can be 12 when they apply, but must be aged 13 and no older than 18 as of August 31 in the year they join the scheme. The scheme concludes when a young person turns 18 on or before August 31 that year.
Applications are now closed.
If you have any questions about joining the cadets, please email [email protected]