Junior Firefighting Programs

[FOFD741]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've read the related topics and corresponding replies. It just so happens that I am one of these "troubled kids". Actually, no. I'm not troubled, I'm a firefighter.
There's a certain amount of respect and responsibility involved, not including the learning I've gotten. I feel so much better when I sit and think and I realize that I'm giving my time to help someone else, that I may not even know. I could assist in saving a life or I could just roll hose....who cares?
Being a firefighter has given me a feeling of belonging that nobody could ever take away from me, and I'm only 16. Everyone says that we're just trouble-makers that need help or crazed psychopaths that are beyond it. NO! I firmly believe that becoming a firefighter was the best decision that I've ever made and if I had to do it over again, I may have done it a whole lot sooner.

[Wildwood Station 11]

I agree i am only 15 but i feel like I was meant to be a firefighter. I am also a member of one of the local volunteer rescue squads and I love it. Yeah it is a lot of work but i feel like i am in a special brotherhood its like my fellow firefighters are my family.
I agree we are not crazed psyscho people we are just kids helping out in the community.

[Kara Howe]

Hey guys that was not directed toward us but to those who want to wreck it for us. I have enjoyed being a fire explorer for the past 6 years and I have loved fighting fire, every moment. If it was not for my station Captains and Advisors keeping the place where I learned clean, I would be out in the cold.
You see kids we are all growing up in a safe enviroment called the Fire Department. To keep it safe we have to keep the bad out, and that means other peers. I am now twenty and I have seen my peers destroy their fire careers in one night. Just remember, all it takes is one mistake and for you to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Keep it safe out there.

Kara Howe

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KH.

[Scott Clark]

It's tough being an Explorer or Junior Firefighter. I became one when I was 14 years old and that was in 1974. I think back on that time often. It was a great experience and it was the start that has lead me to my career as a Firefighter and Training Officer. I have also served as a Chief for a combination fire department. I think Junior Firefighter programs are a greatly misunderstood resource of the fire service. I currently work with some Juniors that feel they are not getting all they could from their local programs. One of them is a 15 year old girl who in my opinion will be a Career Fire Chief someday. I have educated several Juniors and have watched them grow in to great success stories. I know of 9 that are career firefighters, 1 is a Arson Investigator and a half dozen or so have become successful as in their volunteer departments. Junior Firefighters is a great program and you guys and gals should be proud. Your are future Firefighters and If you anyone doubts your success let them read this reply or let me argue with them for you. Keep up the good work and keep up your spirit.

[Tanker]

I agree with Scott Clark, as they say, been there, done that. I started with my a volunteer department in the K.C. area in 1970 as a junior firefighter, I was 15. I loved it . It was something I could go and do with my father. He taught me the values of doing Volunteer work. He and my mother we volunteers in the Salvation Army also, ended up the whole family volunteered. Anyway, I wanted to go into law enforcement, I got started in the at 20. I had the best of both worlds, was on the local volunteer F.D. and a Reserve on the police department, Dispatch only. I have continued that up to this date, I work at the Police Department, and am Asst. Chief at the local Rural Volunteer F.D. with 2 stations. I owe it all to my father, and the other "grown ups" back in my younger days that gave me the chance and help to grow with the two best professional career's going. We take juniors F.F.'s on our department, and givethem that chance see what it feel's like to give to the community.

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[Inferno]

At my department, you are a "mascot" (jr. firefigher) as early as age 13. As a matter of a fact, I am one! At that point you are allowed to take part in training, and ride the trucks to any alarm except to vehicle rescues or anything that is going to be gruesome. It is the officer of the truck's discretion to put me in an avalible spot. Usually I am not allowed to ride the first due truck. Once I reach the age of 16, I can start actually fightin' fire! If you have any questions, please e-mail me.

[Rizzo]

Well im only 15, but I really believe joining the fire dept was the best choice of my life so far. What I am allowed to do at a call is everything except enter a burning structure. We do everything that can be done out side. There is a real brotherhood in the FD. C-ya fellas later

[This message has been edited by Rizzo (edited February 25, 1999).]