Fire Cadets expansion creates transformative opportunities for young people

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is creating transformative opportunities for young people in the county with a significant expansion of its Fire Cadets programme.

The service will recruit 45 new Fire Cadets who will be based in new units set to launch in Barrow, Whitehaven and Carlisle from March 2026, as well as in the existing successful unit in Workington which will continue to operate.

The investment will also see up to 24 lead volunteers recruited across Cumbria to help operational firefighters to run the units – and the service is appealing for people interested in these opportunities to get in touch.

Lauren Woodward, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Lead Officer for Fire Cadets, said:

“We believe our young people in Cumbria deserve the opportunity to raise their aspirations and fulfil their potential, and as a service we are committed to delivering a Fire Cadets programme which empowers them to bring about real change for themselves and their communities.

“Using our specialist skills and resources to engage young people is an example of how the service has a meaningful and long-lasting impact beyond preventing and responding to operational incidents, and supports the resilient, safe, and inclusive Cumbria we are here to protect.”

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has been awarded £49,911.90 in funding from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to expand the Fire Cadets programme – a share of a £532,333 grant secured by the NFCC from the Department Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s £7.5 million Uniformed Youth Fund.

Fire Cadets is a national uniformed youth organisation, supported by the NFCC and run by individual fire and rescue services throughout the UK.

Cadets units empower young people aged 13 to 17 to develop their confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of civic responsibility by taking part in realistic fire and rescue service activities and working closely with operational firefighters.

Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said:

“We are proud to have secured this vital investment for the UK Fire Cadets programme.

“This funding will allow us to reach more young people – particularly those from underrepresented and underserved communities – and offer them meaningful opportunities to build confidence, develop valuable skills, and connect with their communities in powerful ways.

“The Fire Cadets programme is about more than just skills, it’s about shaping futures, fostering resilience, and inspiring the next generation to make a difference.”

An application window for young people interested in becoming Fire Cadets will open in early 2026.