The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Secondary Schools Cadet Program is run through Parkes High School and provides students with an insight into fire safety and prevention, while helping them to develop practical life skills and an appreciation of community service. 

It also gives them insight into volunteering with the RFS and an understanding of working with emergency services.

Fifteen Year 10 students signed up for the program this year, which is run during Term 3 with the help of RFS Mid Lachlan Valley Team group captain Terry Job and teacher Anthony Carter, and a number of volunteer firefighters.

From Wednesday until Friday, the students will head to the NSW RFS Headquarters in Homebush Bay to attend a presentation ceremony for completing the program.

Terry, Anthony, school principal Sandra Carter and RFS volunteers Vicki Williams and Frank Guise will also be attending the ceremony.

RFS Assistant Commissioner Rebel Talbert, on behalf of Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, will be presenting the awards.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant, RFS Regional Manager for Region West Paul Smith and NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) representative Ken Middleton will also be among those present.

The trip has been made possible thanks to the sponsorship of $2168 from the RFSA, the RFS Mid Lachlan Valley Team supplying the transport, Blue Mountains YHA helping with accommodation costs and the Parkes Rural Fire Headquarters for food.

The cadets held their final training session at PAC Park on Wednesday afternoon where they attended a simulated car accident.

They fought a simulated grass fire and helped “casualties”  – former Parkes High students and RFS members Thomas Ringk and Cassandra Williams – who needed urgent help until paramedics arrived.  

The injured were put on stretchers by the cadets, who worked as a team, with an elected team leader giving instructions.

Anthony said it was a great program for the students to be involved with.

“It gives students the opportunity to really step up as leaders and be participants in an exercise based on a plan,” he said.

“They’re doing something for the community and it encourages them to be active as part of a group.

“There are six active fire brigade members at Parkes High School, including Terry and myself – even the principal Sandra is a member.”

Anthony said the program has brought a number of students out of their shells.

“They’re a close-knit group of kids now who really value what they’re doing together,” he said.

Terry has been coordinating the program in Parkes since it began in 2005 and said it’s been a success.

“The best thing I’ve got out of this is training the students and giving them insight into working in the community,” he said.

“It teaches them how to handle themselves in an emergency.

“The students enjoy it and they come away with a new initiative of what to do in an emergency situation, leadership and the willingness to stand up.” 

Terry always aimed to run training off-campus as often as he could to make it as realistic as possible.

Students Will Blunt, Jorja Clarke and Tiana Dumaine were among those who were invited to sign up to the program.

“I think it’s a good experience, it’s something you don’t get to do in everyday life,” Tiana said.

“And it’s an opportunity to spend time with people.”

Will said he had fun while learning at the same time.

Tiana’s favourite moments were those of working on the trucks and she found the hoses very jumpy, while Jorja enjoyed the entire experience.

“Playing the role of crew leader was also very challenging because I haven’t had any experience in doing that, so that was good,” Tiana said.

“[My favourite thing] was the experience, basically to do all of this you don’t normally get to do at school,” Jorja added.

The school would like to thank Terry and Anthony, as well as other volunteers involved in the program including Vicki and Frank.

“Vicki Williams and Frank Guise volunteer their time every Wednesday during the program to allow the program to run effectively and support the students as they work through the drills and scenarios,” principal Sandra Carter said.