Windsor High School Students Graduate from RFS Cadet Program

Fifteen students from Windsor High School completed the 13-week Secondary School Cadet Program (SSCP) run by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) on the 30th of October.

The two-decade state-wide run program has provided students within the Hawkesbury District and across NSW with essential fire safety knowledge and valuable firefighting skills.

The cadets learned the use of canvas hoses and different nozzles or branches and equipment such as water pumps, rake-hoes, radios, and emergency procedures in the truck itself.

RFS Hawkesbury District Manager, Superintendent Jonathon Hill, presented the students with their Certifications of Completion at a school ceremony.

“This event acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the students who embraced the challenges and learning opportunities offered by the program,” Supt Hill said.

“The program also fosters a sense of community and volunteerism and instills core values such as teamwork, leadership, confidence, and initiative.”

Supt Hill thanks Deputy Group Captain Phil Hurst, who led a team of 40 volunteers and staff members, Windsor High School Principal Jennifer Hawken and School Cadet Coordinator Jacob Litchfield for helping to make the program a success.

RFS Cadets Coordinator Jacob encourages the students to go into the community and be part of their local brigade.

“Particularly in regions like Hawkesbury, with its extensive service area and numerous RFS stations, a strong volunteer base is essential. Every member, regardless of age, plays a vital role in supporting the community during emergencies,” he said.

The “Doll’s House demonstration” and the excursions to the Windsor Fire & Rescue and the Hawkesbury SES HQ at Wilberforce were the students’ favourite parts of the SSCP. They saw scenarios such as structure fire phenomena, backdraft, and practical fire activities using extinguishers.

Jacob said the cadets were fascinated with those parts because they remember natural disasters such as the 2019/20 Gospers Mountain bushfires, the recent Hawkesbury floodings, and their impact on the Hawkesbury community.

“It’s through this program that they are able to learn about how the emergency services help to reduce the impact of these disasters,” he said.

When asked why they liked the program and what stood out, Windsor High School students Ruby, Luke, and Gurjaap replied:

Ruby: “I think it made me more confident, particularly with my teamwork and communication skills.”

Luke: “It was good to see and learn about something that helps the community. It was also fun learning about how firetrucks are used, along with all the different equipment available to local firefighters.”

Gurjaap: “From a more practical perspective, it was exciting to learn how to put out a fire at home if I ever needed to and protect myself around fires.”

Ruby: “My favourite part of actually getting to use the different hoses.”

Gurjaap: “Like Ruby, my favourite part was using the hoses, but I particularly enjoyed knocking over the cones when we were learning to aim in the target practice activities.”