A joint Emergency Services Cadets scheme has been hailed as a 'fantastic' success by Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner.

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Fire and police techniques were showcased as aspiring cadets put their skills into practice during an open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services cadets.

About 20 youngsters, aged between 13 and 18, were faced with two different scenarios at the North Lowestoft fire station today (Saturday). In the two 'drills' the teenagers had to rescue a father and his two children from a smoke-filled house, and then use search techniques on three people suspected of possessing drugs after a car was stopped.

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

With the Suffolk police and fire officers the first in the UK to start a joint Emergency Services Cadets group, the scheme was initially launched in Haverhill less than two years ago, and there are now cadet groups in Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds.

The Lowestoft group was launched last year follows a curriculum that combines the skills and positive attitudes of the fire and police services to support and develop young people in the town. It gives them a chance to be a part of a team, promotes good citizenship and inspires them to make a positive contribution to the community.

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

The cadets meet for two hours a week, alternating sessions between Lowestoft police station and the fire station to develop new skills including fire safety, police procedures, firefighting drills and community engagement.

And some of these skills – such as hose and ladder work and crime scene investigation – were demonstrated to parents and relatives of the cadets, along with senior officers from Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service at the first ever Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets open day.

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

With Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dan Fearn and Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton among those in attendance, Mr Passmore said: 'I am really, really pleased with the way that the cadets have expanded. Its fantastic for everyone in Lowestoft and the skills the cadets have shown today were very impressive.'

Ian Carter, Lowestoft firefighter and cadet leader for Emergency Services Cadets, said: 'It has been great for the families to come along, meet us and see what the cadets have achieved.'

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

To find out more about the cadets, email Fire.BusinessSupport@suffolk.gov.uk or call 01473 260588.

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Skills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWESSkills were showcased during a successful open day for the Lowestoft Emergency Services Cadets at the North Lowestoft Fire Station. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)