One of the hallmarks of a healthy community is a focus on creating opportunities for younger members to serve others. This is precisely what the Mayor and Council had in mind when they unanimously approved the formation of the Firefighter Cadet Program for the San Bernardino City Fire Department earlier this year. The Firefighter Cadet Program focuses on young adults from the City of San Bernardino who are interested in pursuing a career in fire service. Cadets are given training in advanced fire and emergency medical operations while they participate in fire department and community projects.

One of the hallmarks of a healthy community is a focus on creating opportunities for younger members to serve others. This is precisely what the Mayor and Council had in mind when they unanimously approved the formation of the Firefighter Cadet Program for the San Bernardino City Fire Department earlier this year. The Firefighter Cadet Program focuses on young adults from the City of San Bernardino who are interested in pursuing a career in fire service. Cadets are given training in advanced fire and emergency medical operations while they participate in fire department and community projects.

As part of the program, Cadets are required to complete the college classes needed to meet the minimum job qualifications for firefighter. Although designed as a fourteen-month program, participants can reach completion sooner depending on the amount of fire related education and training they have when they begin the program. Those who complete all aspects of the program will gain knowledge, confidence, and the qualifications necessary for a full-time position as a firefighter.

The City partnered with the San Bernardino Employment and Training Agency (SBETA) to provide guidance and funding for the program. The Fire Department and SBETA conducted an application and screening process to find those who are best prepared for these positions. The process consisted of an application review, written tests, an oral interview, a physical ability assessment, and a full background investigation. The majority of the applicants are current residents of San Bernardino City, and all of them have demonstrated a sincere desire to serve the community in the capacity of a firefighter.

Once selected, the Cadets will begin training on basic firefighting principles and practices with members of the SBFD. This will include hands-on participation in realistic training scenarios that will prepare them for firefighting operations. In addition to emergency training, Cadets will gain exposure to all other aspects of the fire department’s operation including emergency medical services, the fire prevention bureau, and the fire department’s 9-1-1 dispatching center.

Each cadet will also be assigned to Fire Captain as a mentor, and will spend time at the fire station with the Captain and crew to help develop teamwork skills. The Cadets will be supervised by a Cadet coordinator who will be scheduling training around other activities such as community projects, and attendance to required college classes.

Once a Cadet completes the fire department program and the requisite college classes, they are eligible to become a full-time firefighter. Although there may not be enough openings on the SBFD for all the Cadets, the skills and character elements that they learn through this program will make them competitive in any organization. These Cadets, however, will have a distinct advantage over a typical recruit as they will have already spent a great deal of time learning about the fire department, the duties of a firefighter, and what it means to truly serve your community.