New Lenox Fire District Brings Former Cadets Onboard Part-time

A local fire cadet program designed to foster a love for the service from teen years has developed some part-time firefighters for the district.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD) cadet program was created for those interested in becoming part of the fire service for 4 years. It is open to anyone ages 16-21. Recently, the NLFPD has been able to hire some of the cadets who have earned all of their firefighting and paramedic credentials to their team as part-time firefighters.

Former cadet Brandon Toth was hired by NLFPD as a firefighter/paramedic in July and currently works out of Station 2 on Cedar Road. He started with the cadet program in December of 2011.

“I started gaining an interest in firefighting when I was in high school. I liked the fact that it was a team based job and that every day is different from the last. I also really liked the idea of doing something that makes a positive impact on the community,” said Toth. “Luckily, during my senior year of high school an introduction to the fire service class was offered through a vocation center. I enjoyed every minute of the class and right after high school I applied and got into the cadet program at NLFPD.”

The NLFPD cadet program offers cadets a chance to practice and apply their classroom learning into hands-on and real life training. It also gives those in the program an idea of how the fire service works on a day to day basis.

“This cadet program only reinforced how I felt as well as made this something I wanted to pursue as a career thanks to the cadet advisors, my mentor, and all the other firefighters that were more than willing to take free time out of their schedules and days to teach and train with the cadets,” said Toth.

This fall, additional cadets from NLFPD’s program will have all of their credentials and may also be officially joining the fire district as firefighter/paramedics.

Anyone interested in learning more about the fire service or becoming a cadet with the New LenoxFire Protection District can pick up an application at the NLFPD Administrative Office, located at 261 E. Maple Street, or call 815-463-4500.