The first-ever cadet program at the Altona Fire Department has come to a close.

Dustin Wiebe, a recent W.C. Miller Collegiate graduate, was one of four students that completed the program and is now a full member of the fire department.

"I suggest it to any high-school student that's thinking about maybe joining the fire department when they get older," said Wiebe.

He especially enjoyed the work atmosphere and the group of people he worked with.

Wiebe said the program has helped him decide to continue his fire fighting education at the Manitoba Emergency Services College in Brandon.

Meantime, Greg Zimmerman, Fire Chief of Altona and Rhineland Emergency Services, said he doesn't foresee any problems with running the program again.

He hopes for the first-year cadets to stick around and mentor the new cadets as well.

Currently, all funding for the program is run through the department's regular budget. In the future, Zimmerman hopes to reach out to the community for sponsorship.

"It's not very expensive, we're only talking about a few educational materials and, say, a set of coveralls," he said.