SECONDARY SCHOOL CADET PROGRAM The NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program (SSCP) has been going from strength to strength since its pilot program in 2004. Now running for 18 years, with only a slight hiccup during 2020 when COVID-19 limited Term 1 delivery, the 2018/19 program saw record participation with 882 students graduating from 56 schools. “The program is now back on track to complete 11,000 graduations by the end of 2021,” says Paul Cunningham, NSW RFS Senior Advisor Program Development. “We are evolving to meet demand and to ensure we have enough volunteers available to help deliver the program right around the state.” “One way we are doing this is to develop a shorter intensive program of three days,” explains Paul. “We are finding this suits schools as students can better retain focus and interest over the consecutive days and volunteers are more likely to be able to take time off work for shorter periods.” At least five NSW RFS districts have delivered the program over a shorter intensive format instead of the traditional ten-week program, and this is expected to grow in light of the benefits for both volunteers and schools. “It’s an amazingly inclusive and engaging program,” says Paul. “Over the years we have delivered it to students with disabilities, special behavioural needs and even to children being home schooled.” Recently, the SSCP was delivered over a three-day period to seven Indigenous students from years 8 to 10 attending the Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre in Coleambally, with stunning results. The Centre offers professional, innovative 28 BUSH FIRE bulletin || FEATURES
and culturally-based support programs for at-risk Aboriginal youth, and saw an opportunity to get involved with the NSW RFS. Deanne Bailey, Operational Officer in the MIA District, oversaw the rollout of the Centre’s first cadet program. “When we offered the cadet program as a three-day intensive with plenty of Indigenous connection to land and burning techniques included, they were very interested,” says Deanne. “We engaged our Indigenous mitigation crews from Bourke and Brewarrina to come along, as well as volunteers from the MIA District, to teach the kids and show them what can be possible – they were amazing role models for the boys. “By giving the boys a taste of fire training and having these role models there for them, we are showing them that you can have a hard upbringing and still turn it around.” This may have been the first time the Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre had taken part in the SSCP, but according to Matt Watts, the Centre’s CEO, it won’t be the last. “We were thrilled to be involved in the program – it offered the boys so many opportunities to learn new hands-on skills,” says Matt.
