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Junior Fire Department

(CADET PROGRAM)

  Challenging yourself while serving your community.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

The Brighton Area Fire Department’s Cadet Program is an opportunity for teenagers to serve their community and better themselves as individuals. Fire cadets are able to learn actual fire and rescue techniques and receive State of Michigan recognized training that may be carried with after graduating high school.

Cadets are issued actual firefighter turnout gear, and after being trained, they are able to assist on actual emergency incidents. Although kept out of dangerous conditions, cadets serve a vital role in assisting the fire fighters with mitigating emergencies.

(Above) Cadets are participating in a drinking and driving demonstration to students at Brighton High School.

Cadets can participate in every function of the fire department such as training, public education, and equipment maintenance. Additionally, cadets are able to ride along with the daytime, staffed engine company to learn what it is like to have a career as a firefighter.

HISTORY

During World War II, the young people of Brighton displayed an unprecedented movement of support to help their country win the war.  Acting on insight, the department decided to form a junior fire department to try to harness some of this energy.  When the post-war boom declined, though, so did the junior department and it disbanded in the late 1940’s.

With the dawn of a new decade, the department revived the junior department.  This department’s purpose would be to allow people from the ages of 15-21 to assist in menial tasks related to the fire service.  They would operate under the same directives and By-Laws set forth by the senior department.  In 1951, the Brighton Junior Fire Department was reestablished and is now the oldest junior department in the State of Michigan.

In 1996, the juniors were restructured to only include people between the ages of 15-18.  Recently, the junior department was renamed as the cadet program to better describe what it is these members do to serve their community.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This program provides an excellent start for those looking at a career within the fire service or emergency medical systems field. Former cadets now work as career firefighters with the following fire departments: Brighton Area, Ann Arbor City, Sault Saint Marie, Bloomfield Township, Taylor, Ann Arbor Township, Melvindale, and more.

BENEFITS

• Free training that would cost $100’s at a community college

• Scholarships

• Emergency experience

• Team work

• Work with great people

• Serve your community

• Prepare for a career

(Above) Cadets are able to assist fire firefighters with support functions during actual fires and emergencies.

REQUIREMENTS

• Live in the City of Brighton, Brighton Township, Genoa Township, or within five miles of a BAFD fire station

• Be between the age of 15-18

• Maintain a “C” average or better in every class

• Physically fit

• Good driving record

• Commit to at least four hours of time per week

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FIRE CADET, PLEASE CONTACT US OR COMPLETE AN APPLICATION.

Brighton Area Fire Department

615 West Grand River

Brighton, MI 48116-2322

(810) 229-6640

Applications may be picked up in person or downloaded from this website.