Miramar Fire-Rescue this fall is starting a cadets program that will teach teenagers about the profession and provide them with mentors and volunteer opportunities.
The first year will only be open to students enrolled in the new fire academy program at Everglades High School. The academy can accommodate up to 40 students.
“We really want to use the high school group first to break the ice and see logistically what we will need for them,” said Robert Palmer, Miramar Fire-Rescue division chief of operations and executive adviser of the cadets program.
The program will be open to teens age 15 and up interested in careers as firefighters. The group will receive training and certifications in skills such as CPR and volunteer at city functions at the first aid stations. Cadets also will participate in local and state competitions that will test their skills and knowledge.
“It’s similar in concept (to the police department’s Explorers program),” Palmer said. “They’ll get to experience life as a firefighter and learn about team building. You have to be able to function in that culture.”
Cadets will be required to wear a provided uniform, and sometimes firefighter gear, and will earn “ride time” to train on fire trucks.
“There are a lot of different things we can teach them at certain age levels. By 12th grade, it’ll be a lot more hands-on,” Palmer said. “Whether they proceed with firefighting or not, it’ll help with their life.”
Interim Fire Chief L. Keith Tomey hopes most students who join the cadets will want to join the department, providing a homegrown recruiting base.
“You’d be surprised how many people who work for this fire department grew up in Miramar,” he said. “Of our last hires, eight of the 12 live in Miramar.”
Miramar Fire-Rescue is looking at similar efforts in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood and the Broward Sheriff’s Office in launching its cadets program.
“All the cities that touch Miramar have a (cadets) program,” Palmer said. “There are definitely a lot of positives.”
Fallan Patterson can be reached at .
