The Riverside Fire Department will soon begin a cadet program in conjunction with Highland High School. Fire Chief Chad Smothers said the program will be offered to students age 16-18 who have an interest in careers as firefighters or emergency medical responders. The program is patterned after a similar one the Columbus Junction Fire Department has, in an effort to spark recruitment of new members. They plan to start this fall and run for two years, at which time they’ll evaluate how the program is working.

Smothers said they’ve already had two interested students, and would like to add two more before proceeding. He said the cadets would respond to calls with the fire department, though they won’t engage in interior structural firefighting. They’ll mostly help with outside support functions, such as getting equipment set up or staged, assist with rehab, and carry bags to help out. Smothers presented the project to the Riverside City Council, and he said they were receptive and were encouraged to move forward with the program.