Young fire cadets help emergency crews on real callouts

Sixteen-year-old Emilie Arnov is among a growing number of young volunteers supporting Denmark’s emergency services, DR reports. She and other fire cadets in Næstved learn about firefighting and climate protection, and increasingly help when crews respond to incidents.

Every Thursday evening, Arnov meets with young people aged 13 to 17 at the fire station in Næstved. The cadets train in skills including firefighting and have also joined crews on tasks such as pumping water during flooding on Enø.

“It feels really good that we helped other people,” Arnov said. “It feels good inside to know that we have been part of it.”

Youth fire corps were originally places for young people to meet and learn about emergency services through practical exercises. In recent years, they have taken on a supporting role, said Maria Wiktoria Karolini, project director at the national organisation Unge i Beredskabet.

Karolini said emergency services had become better at recognising young people’s skills and involving them in different operations and activities. The organisation says fire cadet corps were active in 29 municipalities in 2015 and are now present in 40.

Cadets do not take part in tasks they are not trained or equipped to handle, such as extinguishing chemical fires. They can help prepare equipment for fire engines and assist at incidents including floods. They may also provide food and other supplies for firefighters and rescue workers during larger operations.

Giving cadets real responsibilities can build their confidence and encourage them to pursue a future in emergency services, Karolini said. She hopes they will continue after turning 18, either as volunteers or by training to become firefighters.

Arnov says she sees a future for herself in emergency services. Her father, Kim Arnov, leads the youth fire corps in Næstved. He said cadets’ work can ease the load on crews, provided their safety is ensured.