Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets
[Alana Tyrell, First Year Cadet] In the Emergency Service Cadets, we learn about three things, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, and the Police Service. Within each, we learn how they function, what staff do to contribute and how they help people.
[Clive Skingsley, Cadet Leader] When they first apply, we then run what we call assessment centres which are fairly low key. We just get to know the new candidates, give them an overview of what is expected of them, and just get them to do a bit of a fun activity just to get the feel of what they are and hopefully see them in a relaxed light.
They start in Year One as a generic oversight of all three Emergency Services cadets, and as they progress through the five year programme, they can start specialising at 16.
[Ronnie-Thomas Early, EMAS Specialism Cadet] I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Ambulance Service growing up so my parents have always been very supportive of that goal. So enabling myself by joining the EMAS specialism has helped me learn about the role that I will take on in my future as part of the Ambulance Service.
[Kayla Tuson, First Year Cadet] I’ve made a lot of new friends that I didn’t think I would make and I’ve got to learn a lot more about the Police. I would definitely recommend for others to join because you get a lot of opportunities.
[Alana Tyrell, First Year Cadet] I would absolutely recommend. It’s a great opportunity, especially if you want to lead into the Police, Fire, or Ambulance Services. You learn a lot from it, so it’s quite like a first hand experience, so you get that experience that others don’t get.
[Oliver Underwood, Fire Specialism Cadet] Based on my experience as being a cadet, which has been really positive, I would recommend it to others, especially if they want to join the Emergency Services because you get to gain a lot of skills within the Emergency Services’ itself. Even if you don’t want to join the Emergency Services in the future you can still join and gain a lot of life skills that can help you along the line into future careers or just in life in general.
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 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, if you wish, once you turn 16 years old.
“These young people have been selected because of their desire and passion to support their local communities. They are such an integral part of their communities and add so much value to the organisations they represent.” Ann-Marie Lawson, Citizens in Policing Manager and Cadet Lead
The meetings follow a set curriculum where you will take part in activities such as visiting the Force Control Room, and officer safety training, as well as supporting 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 between 13 and 18 as of September 1 in the year they join the scheme.
Applications are now closed.
If you have any questions about joining the cadets, please email [email protected]
Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets are based on the JESIP principles of interoperability, which means they represent Fire, Ambulance, and Police, not just one singular service.
Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets are the best that they can be. We have 320 cadets across our county in many, many different units, representing a whole range of diversity which represents the communities in Northamptonshire. Northants Emergency Services Cadets will receive training in all elements of emergency services, as well as being good citizens which is equally as important as everything else that they learn, meaning that they walk out of the cadet service at the age of 18 with transferable skills, which enable them to do whatever they choose to do in their future with excellent communication skills, excellent knowledge and the will to work that little bit extra harder for whatever they're trying to achieve.
To join our emergency services now, we give young people the opportunities to go into any different area of the emergency services: Police, Fire and Ambulance. Even in the short time our cadet scheme has been running, we've got young people who started with us at the age of 13, they're now working in the control room, they're now special constables, they're now working for the fire service, they're across the entire organisation because of the skills that we've trained them in over their time with us. I know that everybody in Fire, Police and Ambulance are really, really proud of our cadets and everything that they deliver for us. I hope that a lot of them stay with us going forward and for those who don't, they'll have great careers in whatever they choose to do from the skills and abilities that they've learned from working with us and volunteering in their own communities.