The RCFD Cadet Program is kicking off its third year helping high schoolers explore the fire service through hands on training and real-life experience. Cadets must be in their junior or senior year of high school, maintain good grades, and pass a physical standards test before entering. Since the program was started three years ago there have been 23 cadets to go through the program. Three of the cadets have gone on to be paid firefighters, two have become national registered EMT’s, as well as multiple serving the national guard, and one attending United States Military Academy at West Point. So, it is safe to say there is a history of high achievers in this program.
The year starts with the fundamental skills of HIPPA and CPR. Then the cadets move on through units on structural firefighting, EMS, wildland firefighting, rescue, and ARFF or aircraft rescue and firefighting. One of the coolest things cadets get to do is ride along.
Riding along can consist of cadets going on any apparatus from a ladder truck, engine, ambulance, or even a shift at 911 dispatch. These ride times provide the cadets with experience responding to 911 calls from medical emergencies, structure fires, gas leaks, fire alarms, and even public education. Mentor Jim Bussel truly enjoys the program and seeing the cadet’s success, “For me, it’s rewarding to see our Cadets go out and have success. Whether it’s getting their first job in the fire service or beginning their formal education in the area of fire and emergency services, that’s what’s rewarding to me.”
Two-year cadet alumni Henry really enjoyed his time in the program, “My favorite part of the cadet program was going on ride alongs and meeting some great firefighters.”
After graduating the cadet program in 2025 Wasson decided to pursue a career in the fire service starting with wildland with the goal to eventually work as a fireman for RCFD. “I work for South Dakota Wildland. I’m on a hand crew called the Black Hats. The job of the hand crew is to dig line around the fire to keep it from spreading.”
Junior Jack Carpenter just joined the program this fall and he says, “I am most exited to experience his first ride along on an engine.” Senior Collin Unkenholz who is also a first-year cadet and has grown up having relatives in the RCFD says “I am excited to work in a hands-on environment and experience high intensity situations.”
It is safe to say the RCFD Cadets have a busy and exiting year ahead of them filled with hard work and lots of training. If this is something that interests you contact the RCFD for more information.