Last week Fire Cadets from London Fire Brigade, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were invited to take part in a series of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
UK Fire Cadets play an active role in their local communities through a range of social action activities which aim to build their understanding of, and connection, to their community. This can include volunteering, fundraising, putting on or taking part in a community event, or simple neighbourly acts, and can improve young people’s confidence and skills.
It was in recognition of this work that the Fire Cadets were invited to take part, alongside other uniformed youth organisations from across the UK.
Celebrations began on Monday 5 May when nine Fire Cadets and four Leaders from London Fire Brigade represented UK Fire Cadets as part of a 150-strong uniformed youth contingent taking part in the VE80 Procession, which was covered live on BBC One.
Members of the Royal Family, including King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall greeted the Fire Cadets from the Royal Box as they marched down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. Two special guests who were invited to sit in the Royal Box were Fire Cadet Co-ordinator Lucy Plummer with one of her cadets, who were interviewed by Naga Munchetty for Radio 5 Live.
Later in the afternoon Fire Cadets from Essex Country Fire and Rescue attended the Prime Minister’s VE Day 80 Street Party at Downing Street.
On Thursday 8 May NFCC’s Vice Chair, Rick Hylton, represented UK fire and rescue services at the VE Day Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Later that day Fire Cadets from across the country attended a concert at Horse Guards Parade.
The roots of UK Fire Cadets go back to WW2 and Gordonstoun School where a youth led fire service was established, however that is different to what we would now call Fire Cadets, which has been running for more than 25 years.
There are currently more than 2,550 Fire Cadets volunteering out of 210 Fire Cadet Units, with the target age of the Fire Cadet Programme being 13-17 years old.
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Notes to editors:
- The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to continually improve, helping them to save lives and keep their local communities safe. NFCC is a charity and a membership association supporting and representing the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Founded in 1941, NFCC was established as a company and charity in 1998 as The Chief Fire Officers’ Association, transforming into the NFCC in 2017.