Bridgetown High School Emergency Services Cadets program is a challenging, diverse and rewarding program aimed at producing future young leaders and volunteers within our community.
The program educates students on the diverse nature of what emergency services are in our community and hopes to encourage future participation within these organisations once they are older.
At Bridgetown High School, the Cadet program has been operating since 2001 and averages 50 students from years 7 - 10.
Thanks to ongoing funding from Lotterywest, the program continues to provide opportunities that students may otherwise not be able to participate in.
Activities and camps during 2018 have included hiking and orienteering through Walpole and Grimwade bushlands, bike riding the Munda Biddi track, canoeing the Blackwood River, hiking the Kalbarri Gorges and abseiling and working on many skills including navigation, roping skills and fire safety.
Bridgetown Cadet Unit Leader, John Tonai-Moore, said it was a great opportunity for students to be able to volunteer their time to the community while enjoying many exciting and challenging activities, which could only be achieved with ongoing support from agencies such as Lotterywest.
Core modules of the Emergency Services Cadet Unit include radio communication, First Aid and emergency care, search and rescue techniques, map reading and navigation.
The program offers a wide range of activities that incorporate all of this and much more in a fun, safe and challenging environment.
"Rural communities are serviced by volunteer fire-fighters, ambulance officers and SES members," Mr Tonai-Moore said.
"As many of our students may live in rural communities during their adult life, we are introducing them to the skills that will be required if they choose to become a volunteer.”
Cadets attend meetings once a week after school and attend a camp each term.
For more info about the Cadet program, call Bridgetown High School on 9761 0100.
