Cadet Connor first in country for fire role

A fire cadet has been named as the first in the country to be appointed as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Fire Cadet.
Connor Walker is the first in the country to be appointed as a Lord-Lieutenants Fire CadetConnor Walker is the first in the country to be appointed as a Lord-Lieutenants Fire Cadet
Connor Walker is the first in the country to be appointed as a Lord-Lieutenants Fire Cadet

Connor Walker, 17, from Potton, has served as a fire cadet for the past three years as part of the Sandy Fire Cadet Scheme, which is organised by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, appointed Connor as her Fire Cadet for 2015 at a special presentation at Sandy Fire Station, which was also attended by members of Connor’s family, his fire cadet colleagues, and the Chief Fire Officer of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Paul Fuller.

Connor said: “I feel very honoured to have been chosen for this role.

“I have enjoyed being a fire cadet, but didn’t expect that it would include anything like this!”

This is the first time in the UK that anyone has been appointed to the role of Lord-Lieutenant’s Fire Cadet.

In making the historic presentation, Lord Lieutenant Nellis praised Connor for his approach to being a fire cadet.

She said: “Connor has been an excellent role model for younger cadets who have joined.

“He plays an active part in anything that is asked of him including additional exercise scenarios, civil events as required and Brigade Carol Concerts and Awards ceremonies.”

In his unique role, Connor will accompany the Lord-Lieutenant to various high profile events, including Royal visits to Bedfordshire.

Connor, whose father is a retained firefighter at Potton Fire Station, said that he was looking forward to undertaking the responsibilities associated with the role.

As a member of the Sandy Fire Cadet Scheme, Connor has learnt some fire drills and taken part in various exercises and events, including a number of fund-raising activities that Sandy Fire Station has organised including Children in Need collections and Station Open Days.

He has also represented the Brigade at the Lord-Lieutenant’s Annual Church Service on two occasions and taken part in the Sandy Carnival event for two years running.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller said: “This is a great honour for Connor. And it is also a great privilege for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, to be the very first in the country ever, to have one of its cadets appointed as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Fire Cadet.

“I would like to thank the Lord Lieutenant, Helen Nellis, for her enthusiasm and support. We have a well-established Cadet Scheme at Sandy, thanks to the support of the Town Council – and we look forward to expanding the scheme across the country over the next few years.”