Becoming Cadets and Connectors

Two representatives from the Mesa Fire Department visited EVIT's fire fighting classes on Monday to talk about two great opportunities for students.


Students age 15 to 20 can apply to the department's Cadet Program. The department is accepting 24 new cadets who will meet once a month to learn a variety of fire fighting skills, including water rescue, repelling and CPR.

"You're going to gain a lot of experience," speaker Warren Sprecher told the EVIT students. "Being a cadet, we're going to mentor you to give you that skill set."

Students can attend one of two upcoming orientation meetings for the Cadet Program. The first is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 1. The second is from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. Both orientation sessions are being held at the fire department's Volunteer Center at 2830 E. Adobe, behind Station 206. Students can submit their applications for the program at these meetings.

Students who are 18 years old have an additional opportunity to join the department's Connector Program. Connectors are a huge asset to the Mesa Fire Department, and they are essentially as close as a person can get to being a Mesa firefighter without actually being one.. They assist with the department's customer service role, aiding victims however they can by connecting them to various resources. Connectors might drive accident victims home from a crash, deliver water to working firefighters, or help look for lost persons.