A midwestern local established a Cadet Program that allows youth get involved in the fire department and in the community. The program has seen its Cadets become fire fighters or get involved in emergency response, but it has mainly served as a mentoring program for at-risk youth.

The Cadet Program focuses on assisting Cadets in achieving goals and being good citizens. The program is made up of 15-19 year olds who are considered at-risk. The local finds potential candidates through the local teen center, Black Achievers program and through local churches. The Cadets meet monthly and work at community and local events, including MDA drives and the community’s Safety First Day.

Fire fighters become mentors to the Cadets for school, home and societal issues. The Cadet Program places an emphasis on representing the fire department. Cadets wear special uniforms and have standards they must follow for school and behavior in order to stay in the program, which often serves as an incentive. Cadets also assist at multiple alarm fires, picking up hoses and helping with rehabilitation. The program first began working with scouts groups as an Explorers program, but the local found a lack of participation with scouting and adapted the program to focus on at-risk youth.