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(L-R back row) Nicole Thomsen, former cadet and current member of PFD; Lt. Britanny Evans, cadet program coordinator; Lt. Bailey McKay, first ever Penhold cadet and current member of PFD. (L-R front row) Brian Bain, ATCO Red Deer Region-Service Operations Supervisors; Randy Tremblay, ATCO Red Deer Region-Service Operations Supervisors; Fire Chief Sean Pendergast; Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau. (Supplied)
Three-year sponsorship renewal

Penhold Fire Cadet Program “Futures on Fire” receives $24,000 donation

Feb 17, 2023 | 1:55 PM

The Town of Penhold Protective Services says the Penhold Volunteer Fire Department Cadet Program “Futures on Fire” has received a $24,000 donation over the next three years.

Title sponsor ATCO presented the cheque at the Penhold Crossing School (1B Waskasoo Ave) on Monday, February 13, renewing their partnership to the program.

The Town says the donation increases their annual operating budget to $7,000 for expenses and doubles their scholarship from $500 to $1,000.

“We are incredibly lucky and thankful to be in such a strong partnership with ATCO,” said Fire Chief Sean Pendergast. “This program teaches high school students how to be emergency service personnel by training and instructing them in multiple professional firefighter and emergency medical disciplines.”

This year, the Town says there are a total of 10 cadets in the program.

“There were 30 applications for the program this year and we can take 10 to 12 cadets into the program each year,” said Lieutenant Britanny Evans, coordinator for the cadet program.

“We have four cadets from Penhold Crossing Secondary School as well as cadets who attend four other area high schools,” she said. “Students are integrated into the volunteer service to experience the family orientated culture of fire departments. Students also receive work experience credits towards their graduating diploma.”

The Town says Futures on Fire cadets are given an opportunity to compete with ATCO sponsored cadets from other programs throughout Alberta each year and one Penhold Cadet will also have the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship.

Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau says the Town appreciates this valuable partnership and the opportunity to train young men and women in the fire realms.

“ATCO has a solid reputation and this program is such a great way for our youth to be involved with our Penhold Volunteer Fire Department. There are current Fire Department members who started as cadets through the Futures on Fire Program and are still active members of our fire department today.”

(L-R front row) Lt. Brittanny Evans, cadet program coordinator; Randy Tremblay, ATCO Red Deer Region-Service Operations Supervisors; Brian Bain, ATCO Red Deer Region-Service Operations Supervisors; Keltie Rogers, fire cadet; Fire Chief Sean Pendergast; Penhold Mayor Mike Yargeau; Nathen Young, fire cadet; Deacon Rundell, fire cadet. (L-R back row) Lt. Bailey McKay, first ever Penhold cadet and current member of PFD; Clark Peters, Penhold Crossing Secondary School Principal, Nicole Thomsen, former cadet and current member of PFD. (Supplied)