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Cadet Program

Start your career before you graduate.

The Payette Fire Cadet Program gives high-school students a real seat in the fire service — training, gear, and a crew — years before most people get the chance.

Draft · This page is a draft. Every requirement below still needs the department's confirmation, and the official cadet application has not been provided yet.

Cadets train alongside our firefighters, learn the job from the ground up, and take on real responsibility at their own level. It is not a field trip — it's an apprenticeship in public service.

Many of the people on our roster started exactly this way. If you're thinking about the fire service, the academy, or an EMS career, this is the front door.

“We are always on stage, so make yourself and your actions deserving of applause.”

The department credo — it applies to cadets too

The Payette Fire Department crew in turnout gear in front of an engine

Many of the people on this roster started as teenagers. The cadet program is the front door.

Who can apply

The bar is real, and we hold it. These are the requirements a cadet meets to join and keeps meeting to stay.

Age
16 to 18 years old at the time of application.
Grade level
Currently enrolled as a high-school sophomore, junior, or senior.
Academic standing
Maintain a 2.5 GPA or better and stay in good standing at school.
Attendance
Attend at least two drills per month and one department training night.
Parental consent
Written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for applicants under 18.
Background
No felony convictions; background check required. A clean record is expected and maintained.
Physical
Able to meet a basic physical standard and provide a physician's clearance.
Conduct
No drug or alcohol use. Cadets represent this department in public and are held to it.

What a cadet actually does

Cadets do

  • Ride along on calls in a non-hazardous support role
  • Train on hose, ladders, tools, and SCBA
  • Learn fire behavior, rescue basics, and incident command
  • Help at open houses, parades, and prevention events
  • Earn a path toward Firefighter I and EMS certification

Cadets never

  • Enter a burning structure or any IDLH atmosphere
  • Operate apparatus
  • Perform any task beyond their training and age

Cadets are students, not firefighters. Every task is matched to their age and training, and an officer is responsible for them on every call.

How selection works

01

Submit a completed application with parent or guardian signature.

02

Interview with the cadet advisor and a member of the command staff.

03

Complete a background check and physical clearance.

04

Serve a probationary period before receiving full cadet standing.

Ready to apply?

The official cadet application form is not available yet. Once the department provides it, it drops in here — the page and the routing are already built for it.

In the meantime, tell us you’re interested and we’ll get in touch the moment applications open. Or call the station at 208·642·6028.

Register your interestCall the station
Emergency 911 208·642·6028