Templeton’s newest Fire Cadet is THS senior Lindsey Rains
Templeton High School senior and Fire Cadet, Lindsey Rains takes a few moments out of a busy morning in August to have her photo taken. That day, Lindsey was working with Captain Tony Broom at the Fire Station. The two inventoried the equipment on each fire truck and replaced used items. The exercise was both a scheduled part of routine maintenance and a training exercise for Lindsey. “It’s important that Lindsey knows what each engine carries, where each item is located, and what each item is used for,” said Broom.
By Nanette Fisher
While most students were still enjoying summer vacation, training began in August for Templeton’s newest Fire Cadet – Templeton High School (THS) senior (2017/18) Lindsey Rains.
Lindsey heard about the Fire Cadet program from Templeton Firefighters as they helped her with injuries she had sustained while participating in the THS Talon Marching Band Color Guard.
“I’d always been interested in law enforcement and was hoping to take the THS class in Criminal Justice, but it’s not available this year,” said Lindsey. “So I decided to explore other options in a related field.”
Like most Templeton students, Lindsey became aware of and even got to know many of Templeton’s Firefighters from an early age.
Every year, members of the Fire Department go into classrooms and multi-purpose rooms on campus to teach fire safety to students in grades K-5 during Fire Prevention Week. At the secondary level, Templeton’s Firefighters participate in an annual Stairclimb held at Templeton High School in remembrance of emergency services personnel who climbed the stairs in the Twin Towers on 9/11.
What Templeton youngster hasn’t eaten breakfast at the Fire Station, watched the big fire engines go by in the parade, or watched as Firefighters patrolled the community to prevent fire and injury on the 4th of July every year?
And of course, the Firefighters are at most high school athletic events – to cheer the athletes and if necessary, provide immediate care.
“Our Firefighters have always been kind and respectful,” said Lindsey. “I felt this would be a good work environment to be a part of, and now I’m leaning toward becoming a firefighter after high school.”
Templeton High School Principal Erik Lewis has known Lindsey for the last four years and characterized her as “a hard working young person who will always speak her mind and give her best effort at whatever task that is placed in front of her.”
“I’m really excited to have our fourth THS student entering the Fire Cadet Program with the Templeton Fire and Emergency Services Department,” said Lewis. “It is great to work with one of our community partners to help our students get a head start entering careers in public safety.”
The Fire Cadet Program is designed to give high school students interested in Fire and Emergency Services an opportunity to learn firsthand what the profession truly entails, while giving those entering the occupation a “leg up”.
Templeton Fire Chief Bill White started his career as a Fire Cadet with Atascadero’s Fire Department.
“I was the first Cadet with the City of Atascadero in 1988, so I am a huge proponent of the program,” said White. “The Cadet Program has come a long way since my experience and continues to be a great opportunity for our youth to see if they are interested in pursuing a full or part-time career in Fire & Emergency Services.”
“The knowledge and experience a Cadet gains will be beneficial when they apply to attend a fire academy,” continued White. “Because a career in Fire & Emergency Services is incredibly competitive, the training and experience a Cadet receives may be the one thing that sets them apart from another applicant.”
This year will be a busy one for Lindsey with as much as 20 hours per week in the Fire Cadet Program, the time, energy, and practice required for her participation in the THS Talon Marching Band Color Guard and senior classes that include Economics, Civics, British Literature, Algebra, Ag Science, and working as a TA (teacher’s assistant) for one of the FFA advisors and possibly helping out in the registrar’s office.
In addition, Lindsey loves youth recreation sports – particularly soccer and softball – and has applied to serve as an umpire and/or referee with Templeton Recreation.
She also likes to spend time with family and friends, but for now, Color Guard and becoming a Fire Cadet are taking up the bulk of her time until school starts.
To learn more about the Fire Cadet Program, please contact Templeton Fire & Emergency Services at 434-4911. Chief Bill White, Captain Tony Broom and Captain Brandon Wall will be happy to provide information on the program and answer any questions you might have. Feel free to e-mail them at [email protected] , [email protected], or [email protected].
