A new cadet program places two local high school seniors with Sterling firefighters for hands-on training and aims to prepare them for paid, on-call roles once they reach eligibility.
Cadets train integrated with shifts twice weekly or as schedules allow to gain real-world exposure and one-on-one instruction.
The program is designed to feed paid, on-call positions (available at 18 in Illinois) and eventually full-time roles after age 21.
The department will adjust the program based on cadet and staff feedback while prioritizing small-group training to maximize hands-on time.
Sterling Fire Department created a high school cadet program to introduce students to firefighting work and groom candidates for future staffing needs. The department announced the program and introduced the first two cadets at a Sterling City Council meeting on Sept. 8.
The initial cadets are Anna Propheter, a senior at Newman Central Catholic High School, and Emmanuel Arreola, a senior at Sterling High School. Both are honor students and active in school activities and sports.
A ride-along by Propheter is credited with prompting the department to formalize a cadet track. Fire Chief David Northcutt said Propheter showed notable interest during her ride-along, which led leadership to consider a structured program to recruit motivated candidates.
Cadets train with Sterling firefighters twice a week or according to their school schedules. Deputy Fire Chief Brandon Monical described cadets as integrated into shifts: they join crews, experience daily station life, and take part in training alongside firefighters. Starting with two cadets allows for more individualized instruction rather than larger, less frequent group sessions.
Sterling intends the cadet program to funnel candidates into paid, on-call firefighter positions. Illinois law prevents paid, on-call status until age 18 and full-time firefighter hire until age 21. The department sees the 18–21 window as the immediate target for cadets to become paid, on-call members and later transition to full-time roles.
Leaders describe the program as a framework they will tweak using cadet and staff feedback. The department wants the program to be adaptable rather than fixed, refining schedules, training content, and integration practices as they learn what works best in practice.
Staff framed the cadet program as one of multiple approaches departments are using to address recruitment challenges. The intent is to attract qualified, committed individuals earlier and give them practical experience that prepares them for formal firefighter certification and service.
Sterling will continue training the two cadets and collect input to adjust the program. As cadets reach age 18, the department can move eligible participants into paid, on-call positions. The program places emphasis on small cohorts initially to provide deeper hands-on learning and mentoring.
The cadet program is a hands-on recruitment pathway that embeds motivated high school seniors with shift crews, targets paid on-call status at age 18, and will be refined based on early participant and staff feedback.
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