Fire & Medical Cadet Program

Cadets learn about the fire and medical service, and in turn, volunteer time back to their communities.

Cadets also participate in community service events including public education activities and City sponsored events. Participation in these extra activities is not required, however, members are highly encouraged to participate. 

Registration/Application

Recruitment and registration takes place once a year in August.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be 15 years old but not older than 18 years old
• Must be currently enrolled in school
• Expected to maintain a 'C' grade average

Medical Clearance Required

Firefighting is physically demanding, and each Cadet session will include physical activity.  Activities include but are not limited to: assisting and participating with indoor/outdoor public events to fulfill volunteer hour requirements; educational presentations that may contain graphic material and information related to the firefighter/EMT career; contact with a police canine and props involved with the police canine demonstration; standing up and climbing ladders; operating, pulling, and maneuvering hose lines; running with hose lines; use of self-contained breathing apparatus; rappelling; aerial climbing up to one hundred feet (100’); operations for water rescue; handling extrication equipment and participating in extrication on vehicles; using hand tools such as Halligans, axes, sledge hammers for forcible entry and other firefighting functions; dummy drags; EMS/First Aid/CPR. The activities require moderate to strenuous physical exertion; moving laterally and up and down; and balancing; lifting, pulling, and/or pushing up to 75 lbs.

All Cadets are required to provide medical clearance(PDF, 3MB)  before starting this program.  A cadet cannot participate in any physical activities without a medical clearance.

Program Goals

• Develop team building and leadership skills
• Understand the Firefighter-Recruit testing process
• Learn basic firefighting skills, CPR and first aid techniques
• Participate in physical fitness
• Become familiar with fire equipment and apparatus
• Expectations(PDF, 177KB)
• Volunteer Hours Report(PDF, 154KB)

Meeting Information

• Most meetings are held at the City of Mesa Public Safety Training Facility located at 3260 North 40th Street, Mesa.
• Meetings include classroom training as well as physical fitness training, practicing firefighting skills, and performing emergency medical skills.
• Cadet Program Schedule(PDF, 116KB)