Girls to the front: Compton Brigade cadets are connecting their community
From left to right: Peyton, Mia, and Teagan
In South Australia’s South East, something incredible is happening at one of the local Country Fire Service (CFS) brigades. Of the 10 young people currently training as cadets, 7 are girls, and 4 of them joined only in the past few months.
It’s a quiet yet powerful shift in a space where firefighting has long been considered a male-dominated field. The cadets, aged 11 to 18, meet regularly to learn fire safety, teamwork, leadership, and practical skills that prepare them for frontline roles when they turn 18. They also build the confidence and teamwork that support every successful CFS brigade and help build thriving communities.
Their story is meaningful during National Volunteer Week (19–25 May), Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This year’s theme, “Connecting Communities”, highlights the power of volunteering to bring people together, creating lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities.
Petyon, 15
Fifteen year old Peyton is one of the newest cadets. She joined just weeks ago, inspired by friends at school who encouraged her to give it a go. “I have a couple of friends who go there and I've also really been obsessed with CFS for years,” she said.
Peyton is a third-generation CFS member. Her dad is still an active volunteer with the Glencoe Brigade, and her grandad served with the same brigade for more than 40 years, including time as captain.
Peyton said she’s always admired how firefighters help others during difficult times. “I like the fact that they're able to help so many people,” she said. “I like knowing that somebody can be okay and safe in a situation that might not be as safe.”
Since joining, Peyton has already experienced her first training nights, which included drills and the learning of basic firefighting skills. “The first ever one I attended, we did branch drills, so we learned how to use a branch and unravel hoses and stuff, which was pretty cool for the first time being there.”
For Peyton, being part of a mostly female cadet group has made the experience even better. “It just feels really safe to be there,” she said. “It’s really fun.”
Volunteer cadet programs are designed to support young people of all genders in developing real-world skills and growing into active volunteers. But the increase in participation by girls at Compton Brigade speaks to a broader cultural shift, one that values equity, supports inclusive leadership, and encourages the next generation to take their place.
Teagan, 14
Like many teenagers, 14 year old Teagan was looking for something new to do after school. When she spotted a CFS cadet recruitment advertisement in her school bulletin, she didn’t hesitate to give it a try.
Now a few months into the program at Compton CFS, Teagan said she’s found more than just a new hobby — she’s found a team. “Everyone’s just like really nice there,” she said. “The cadet coordinators and the volunteers that help out, they’re the best.”
Despite still finding her footing, Teagan said the sense of connection and trust among the group is what makes the program special. “It’s great to have people that I know I can trust and rely on, even though I don’t know them very well yet.”
That trust and the friendly support of the group helped Teagan push through any early nerves. Now she said she’s glad she took the chance. “I was nervous at first, but then everyone was just so welcoming and awesome. I’m really happy that I joined.”
Teagan recently took part in her first Anzac Day memorial parade with the brigade, a meaningful moment for her and her fellow cadets. “It was a really cool experience,” she said. “I’d never done anything like that before.”
Outside of CFS, Teagan has also volunteered with a local animal shelter through a school-supported program. Volunteering is something she sees as both rewarding and important. “It’s important to help out with the community and to put yourself out there and talk to new people,” she said.
Mia, 15
At 15 years old, Mia has been a CFS cadet for 4 years. Her journey began when she was just 11, encouraged by her family’s strong ties to the fire service as her mum was also a cadet.
Through her years in the cadets, Mia has learned a wide range of firefighting skills. From structural drills to handling thermal imaging cameras, she’s been actively building knowledge that could one day save lives. Looking ahead, Mia is confident she’ll stay with CFS and is particularly interested in being a breathing apparatus (BA) operator.
Mia also recalls how the cadet program has evolved during her time. When she started, there were only two girls — herself and one other — which sometimes felt lonely. But now with new female cadets signing up, the group feels even more welcoming.
For any girl thinking about joining, Mia has a simple message: “It’s a good idea. It helps you learn different skills, and you get a lot more social connections with new people.”
Some skills Mia didn’t expect to learn involved hazardous materials (HazMat), mapping, and gridding. She’s proud to have surprised herself with her progress. “I definitely surprised myself with that,” she said.
“Being in cadets helped me figure out what I might want to do,” she reflected. “It made me think I might be a firefighter when I grow up.”
Outside of training, Mia has enjoyed unique experiences and field trips, such as visiting the airport to explore firefighting techniques involving helicopters and bombers.
The Compton cadets are part of more than 1,000 young South Australians involved in CFS cadet programs across the state. While they don’t yet respond to emergency calls, they play an essential role in the life of the brigade: helping at community events, learning key safety procedures, and gaining experience that will serve them for years to come.
For many, cadets is just the beginning. If they decide to transition into operational roles, these young volunteers will become part of the frontline effort that protects lives and property across the state.
The success of the Compton cadet program speaks directly to the National Volunteer Week theme. The group connects young people with each other, with mentors in their brigade, and with their broader community. Girls joining because they see others like them already involved is a powerful example of how inclusive environments create belonging.
CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin AFSM said the growth at Compton is a strong example of what’s possible when communities actively support young people. “When cadet programs thrive, so do our brigades,” he said. “Seeing such strong female participation in a rural brigade like Compton is a testament to the welcoming culture there and the leadership of local volunteers who champion the value of diversity.”
At Compton and all other cadet brigades across South Australia, the future looks bright, and it’s being built by young people ready to lead, support their communities, and take up the call.
Let’s celebrate the thousands of CFS volunteers and cadets across South Australia, who embody this spirit every day, leading by example and shaping the future of community service.
Interested in joining a cadet program? Visit the CFS Cadet Program page to find a group near you.