Junior Fire Corps Looks To The Future

Recognizing the need for a junior corps and hoping to spark a lifelong interest in the fire service in local young people, Karin Halstead and Dave De la Vega introduced the Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Company Junior Corps in the spring of 2007. “It took over a year to get the program up and running,” said Ms Halstead, but the efforts have paid off.

The program, open to Newtown boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16, currently has six members and is open to more. Kelly Burton, 15, Devon Miles, 15, Dan Cragin, 15, Emily Bernson, 15, Liam Ferguson, 14, and Stephen Clark, 14, are presently active in the new group that assists the senior corps in a variety of ways.

The Junior Corps meetings monthly on the second Monday and participates in the fire department’s monthly drills. The also assist with cleaning the firehouse and going over the fire trucks. Once a student is 15 years old and has taken a hazardous material awareness class and an airborne/blood borne illness class, they can respond with the firefighters on calls. At the scene, Junior Corps members can help in directing traffic, handling the hoses, and assisting senior firefighters in a number of other ways.

The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fired Department Junior Corps members are responsible for fundraising to benefit their group. This summer, said Ms Halstead, they sold glow sticks and bottled water at the Lobsterfest, and auctioned off a birthday party to raise money. Birthday parties are also a new endeavor undertaken by the SHVFD Junior Corps.

After arriving at the birthday child’s home, “The partiers are given fire helmets,” said Ms Halstead.  “The children go through the fire trucks, try on gear.  We will spray some water if the weather and area permits. We also will do some fire prevention and a question and answer session.”  To schedule a birthday party, call the firehouse at 270-4392.

Kelly, Devon, and Dan were the first high school students to join the newly formed SHVFD Junior Corps in the spring. “My dad joined this fire department when I was in the third grade and I would come to the fire house with him. I got my inspiration from him,” said Kelly.

It was family influence that found Stephen a Junior Corps member, as well. “My dad and brother both belong to Sandy Hook Fire Department and now I do. I kind of just fit in,” he said.

For Liam Ferguson, it was at the urging of his friend, Stephen that he answered the call to join. “I like hanging out with everyone here and doing the drills, like going into fake smoking buildings.”

For these young people, the Junior Corps is just a first step. All of them hope to one day become senior members of the SHVFD.

Not only is it a benefit to the fire department and to the community to have young people involved in the department, but Junior Corps members receive community service, as well, Ms Halstead pointed out. “They are working toward awards and recognition with the National Volunteer Fire Council out of Washington, D.C.,” she said. Each month she faxes a record of the Junior Corps members’ hours to the Fire Council listing their participation.

The senior members of the department have been very supportive of the Junior Corps, Ms Halstead said. “We all have taken them under our wings and are trying to teach them and prepare them for the fire department. We want the kids to fall in love with the fire service and hope that they will want to continue giving back to their community for the rest of their lives.”