Cadet Program

Cadets

The Cadet Program, established in 1996, is open to high school students in the North Shore area. The Cadet Program Coordinator is Captain Jeremy Boehlke. Capt. Boehlke works closely with the cadets and their high school counselors to coordinate a schedule that best fits the individual. This is an unpaid position. The Department will provide the necessary fire equipment and provide the opportunity to take Firefighter Level I and Emergency Medical Technician Basic courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Students may enter the program as a junior or senior.  The duration of the program is one year. Students entering the program as a junior and have met the requirements, would have the opportunity to re-apply and continue the program through their senior year. Students entering the program as a senior and wish to continue exploring the Fire Service would have an option to apply the North Shore Fire Department Intern Program. (At age 15, you are eligible to participate in monthly trainings.)

Daily Routine

The Cadet Program is designed to provide the student with skills necessary to achieve their goals in life. The program will challenge the student mentally and physically, pushing them beyond what they thought they were capable of. Daily activities would include:

  • Fire Inspections
  • Public Relations activities
  • Daily station chores
  • Reviewing the Cadet Handbook and working on the Quarterly Assignments
  • Fire and medical training

Ride-Alongs

Cadets have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day action by riding along on calls on any of our apparatus: 

  • Engines
  • Medical Units
  • Trucks

Skills

Firefighting cadets have the opportunity to acquire the following skills:

  • Firefighting Skill/Performance - Ladder work, roof work, fire suppression, ventilation, scene composure, knots, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and teamwork
  • Emergency Management Services (EMS)/Basic Life Support Skills - CPR, medical emergencies, trauma, orthopedic splinting and shock management
  • Fire Prevention/Inspections - National, state and local codes, building construction, inspection procedures and public education
  • Department Standards - Record keeping and report completion, customer service, attitude, health and safety issues, and grooming
  • Interpersonal Skills/Public Relations - Attitude, decision making, team participation, work habits and quality of work
  • Station Work - maintenance of quarters, observance of safety procedures, cooperation and maintenance of reports, become a member of the shift on a day-to-day basis
  • Planned Personal Development - Physical fitness, education and certification

Application

Students interested in the North Shore Fire Department Cadet Program can click the application link below. Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed, and you will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Program Coordinator. If you have any questions regarding the program, please email Capt. Boehlke at jboehlke@nsfire.org 

Cadet Application