Two teams of Fire Cadets from across Lincolnshire will head to Essex in September for the UKRO Festival of Rescue.
Lincolnshire’s Fire Cadets will put their skills, teamwork and resilience to the test when they take part in the UK Fire Cadets' Casualty Challenge at the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Festival of Rescue 2026 in Essex this September.
The challenge forms part of the UK's premier rescue event, bringing together fire and rescue services from across the country for a weekend of competition, learning and collaboration.
Hosted by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service at the University of Essex, Colchester, on 11 and 12 September, the Festival will see fire and rescue Fire Cadet teams from Northamptonshire, Cumbria, South Yorkshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, and Hereford and Worcester competing alongside operational rescue teams from across the UK.
The Fire Cadets' Casualty Care Challenge, taking place on Saturday 12 September, is designed to showcase first aid skills and confidence young people develop through the UK Fire Cadets programme.
Throughout the event, teams of three will take part in a first aid challenge, testing their ability to provide immediate care in a spontaneous realistic scenario, work together, communicate effectively and relay information.
The challenge will be assessed by the Lincolnshire-based charity LIVES, who support our local communities by training voluntary community first responders.
Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and the National Fire Chiefs Council Executive Lead for Children and Young People, said: "The UK Fire Cadets’ Casualty Challenge is about much more than competition. It's about giving young people the chance to challenge themselves, work together, build resilience and demonstrate the qualities that make Fire Cadets such a valued part of the fire and rescue family.
“Events like the UKRO Festival of Rescue Challenge help inspire the next generation of community leaders, firefighters and emergency responders, and we're excited to see our cadet teams represent their services on a national stage."
While at the event, Cadets will be able to watch firefighters and emergency responders compete in the UKRO National Extrication and Trauma Challenges, providing a unique insight into the skills, professionalism and teamwork required at real-life incidents.
The Fire Cadet Challenge will be held in the community village section of the event where visitors can explore the village, find out more about careers in the fire and rescue service and support the teams taking part throughout the two-day event.
The Festival is free to attend and open to the public, with further information and tickets available on the Festival of Rescue 2026 event page.
Want to get involved in exciting events and activities like this? Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is always looking for the next generation of young people to get involved through its Fire Cadet programme, with schemes running in Boston, Gainsborough, Grantham, Lincoln, Skegness, Sleaford and Spalding.
Fire Cadets learn valuable life skills, develop confidence, take part in practical activities, and gain an insight into the work of the fire and rescue service, all while making new friends and supporting their local community.
Applications to become a Fire Cadet can be made on Lincolnshire Fire Cadet’s application page.
The service is also keen to hear from people interested in volunteering as Cadet Instructors.
Volunteer instructors play a vital role in supporting and mentoring young people, helping them develop new skills and reach their potential.
Anyone interested in becoming a Cadet Instructor can email: LFR-CFS-Queries@lincolnshire.gov.uk for more information.