PCYC Queensland’s young cadets took part in ESCape Week last week – an unforgettable series of exciting, hands-on experiences, provided thanks to emergency service professionals giving them a taste of a career in emergency services.
Emergency Services Cadets (ESCs) can only be chosen to participate in ESCape week once, and this year’s group showed their bravery, tenacity and willingness to learn.
This year the cadets experienced marine rescue and water safety challenges, learned skills to help in alcohol related trauma and accidents, searched for missing persons, used fire-fighting equipment, and spent time with the bomb squad and Polair.
PCYC ESC Program Coordinator Kerrieann Ruatoka’s highlight was seeing the students step out of their comfort zones and really engage with the different activities throughout the week.
“There was such a great sense of connection, energy, and growth. It was also really rewarding to hear the positive feedback from both students and staff about the impact the program is having,” Kerrieann said.
PCYC ESC Manager Sue Bernard enjoyed watching the Cadets grow from day one of ESCape Week, when they didn’t even know each other to becoming a great group of friends who take care of each other. It’s something she never tires of.
“The most memorable day was when I took a detour on our drive home from the Gold Coast, so that we got to spend a precious few minutes at the beach – which some of our regional Cadets had never seen before. That is a gift that will stay with me long after everything is done,” Sue said.
In National Student Volunteer Week, we are sharing the stories of some of our amazing volunteers:
JOHANNA SINNAMON
Johanna joined PCYC Emergency Services Cadets in January 2024 and has been an integral part of her unit, accumulating the following volunteer hours with ESC:
This Year – 59.25 hours
Lifetime – 104.75hours
Johanna is passionate and dedicated to her community. She has volunteered her time and energy to the following:
Johanna, thank you for you dedication to your community. Your commitment, energy and care inspire others.
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CAPRICE GORRING
Caprice joined Emergency Service Cadets in October 2024 and has accumulated the following volunteer hours with ESC:
This Year – 45.00 hours
Lifetime – 74.50 hours
She attends SES every Tuesday night and undertakes volunteer work and training. She will be going to Roma in September to undertake training in search and rescue and emergency response.
Caprice completed the Kokoda challenge in July this year, hiking 96km and raising funds for the Kokoda Youth Project.
Thank you, Caprice, for your dedication and commitment. We admire the effort you put in and wish you the best of luck in achieving your dream job in fire and rescue.
If the future of our communities rests with these young people, it is in good hands.
During the intensity of ex-Cyclone Alfred across South East Queensland over the past week, three of PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadet Units were activated to volunteer alongside their local SES Units and assist with filling sandbags for the community.
PCYC’s amazing Adult Leaders mobilised a workforce of Cadets to do the jobs that would usually be done by skilled SES volunteers, leaving the SES to tackle the big jobs of tarping roofs and dealing with emergencies in the lead up to this major weather event.
Our Somerset Unit was activated with the Local Cadet Coordinator at the helm, as well as Sergeant TJ Baker lending a hand.
What a wonderful contribution our young people are making to their communities – to say that we are proud of them, and of the Adult Leaders who are making this happen, is a huge understatement!
About PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets
The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program is delivered in partnership with PCYC Queensland and Queensland’s Emergency Services, thanks to the support of Queensland Police Services (QPS) and Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
The ESC program is offered to young people aged 12 to 17 and usually operates out of an Emergency Service facility (such as a local SES headquarters or Rural Fire Service station). The Cadet ‘Unit’ is managed under the leadership and guidance of volunteer Adult Leaders with mentoring and activities from Emergency Services personnel.
The aim of the program is to provide young people with a safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities. Cadets are provided with a uniform and participation is free, we just ask Cadets to supply their own black boots. The program runs concurrently with the school year and a Cadet Unit will usually meet once a week during the school term. There are 25 ESC Unit locations across Queensland where Cadets are encouraged to explore a career in the Emergency Services, either as a volunteer or in a paid role.
For more information about your local Emergency Services Cadets program contact PCYC Somerset.
