Fire Cadet

Wise County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1 designed its Cadet Program to appeal to motivated individuals who are dedicated to learning the skills necessary for a career in the fire service. By providing a Cadet Program, the District benefits by being able to attract, identify and train a diverse group of promising candidates for potential future employment. The community is also served when area citizens can advance their career goals close to home.

The District's Cadet Program offers the following:
- A basic structure fire suppression course, approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), that qualifies successful graduates to take the TCFP basic structural fire-fighting exam;
- An emergency medical services training course, approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), that qualifies successful graduates to take the National Registry exam and the DSHS state certification exam for certification as an EMT-Basic.
- Does not charge for its training program (unlike other academies where tuition can be thousands of dollars), because the District absorbs all of the administrative, textbook, and material costs; and
- Provide 72 hours a month of on-the-job training at the fire station.

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief and supervised by District members, the program provides online classroom and hands-on instruction during the cadets 72 hours a month. Cadets are trained concurrently in fire prevention, suppression, rescue, public fire safety education, and emergency medical services. Outside the classroom cadets will make fire prevention visits, participate in public education, perform general administrative assignments, and may, participate in ride-along on emergency vehicles. A high level of physical fitness is required, and training is provided to help cadets meet the physical ability test standards. Cadets will engage in physical labor and physical fitness, including hose, rolling, cleaning apparatus and stations, and emergency scene clean-up.

Completion of the program during the semester requires satisfactory achievement on these four components:
- Completion of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) basic fire certification course;
- Completion of the National Registry EMT certification course;
- Regular and satisfactory participation in the physical fitness program; and
- Maintain 72 hours a month throughout the program.

To be eligible for hire as a firefighter/EMT in Texas after completing the Cadet Program, a cadet must: Take and pass the TCFP basic fire certification exam; and Take and pass the National Registry EMT-Basic certification exam and be certified by DSHS; and Take and pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test; and Meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 physical requirements. Once a cadet has met these standards, the cadet may receive an offer for employment from the District. Offer of employment is not a guarantee by this program.

Requirements: Age 18 minimum, high school diploma or equivalent, U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States, able to read write and speak English, understand and follow supervisory direction, meet Cadet Program attendance requirements, no disqualifying conditions for employment as firefighter/EMT in Texas