Fire cadets urged to become productive citizens

Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard has urged the graduates of the Barbados Fire Service Cadet Programme to embrace hard work and be dedicated in their pursuit of becoming productive citizens.

He also encouraged their parents to support them in other similar positive developmental activities.

Maynard offered the advice on Friday at the passing out parade for this year’s cohort of 15 cadets who he said had demonstrated the skills they acquired during the eight-week course, including rope and knot prowess, drills with hose and hydrant, as well as emergency response protocols.

The fire chief commended the cadets for their efforts in the programme that is in its 22nd year.

“This Barbados Fire Service Cadet Programme … has touched the lives of many young people … It is a developmental programme executed by the Barbados Fire Academy in which we take the opportunity to transform the lives of our young boys and girls, our young men and women, to make them more productive citizens of the Republic of Barbados,” Maynard said.

He said young people’s participation in this and similar activities should be embraced and encouraged by their parents.

“Parents, guardians, loved ones, you need to support your children in doing good and positive things,” Maynard said.

“Very often, when a child is doing something or they ask to do something positive you question the authenticity of it, you delay in making that decision to say ‘go’.

“When they are doing something negative or there is something that you are not so sure about but it is glamorous, you are quick to say ‘yes’ … We need to support our children when they are doing something good, positive, and uplifting,” he added. (SB)