National success for Chetwynde Fire Cadet Ryan

Huge congratulations to Year 11 pupil Ryan Birt-Reed who helped the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Fire Cadets team secure an impressive third place in a national competition.

Ryan competed at the UK Fire Cadets’ Casualty Care Challenge in Essex as part of the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) Festival of Rescue 2026.

The challenge saw Fire Cadets from across the UK put their first aid, communication and teamwork skills to the test, working together under pressure in realistic casualty care scenarios.

With Ryan hoping to pursue a career as a firefighter, it was a fantastic opportunity to put his skills into action and learn more about the demands of working in the fire and rescue service.

Mark Baxter, National Fire Chiefs Council Executive Lead for Children and Young People, praised the exceptional standard of performance, highlighting the cadets’ first aid skills, teamwork and resilience.

Well done Ryan and the rest of this talented team – what a great achievement!