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JUNIOR FIREFIGHTERS
The Junior Firefighter Program
was created in 1998 for the purpose of recruiting future firefighters, as
well as giving the youth of the community a place to learn new skills.
After being on hiatus from 2001-2004, the program was started up again in
2004. The members of the Junior Firefighters have helped out the West
Ridge Fire Department in various ways. Several current firefighters
today got their start as a WRFD Junior Firefighter.
Besides learning the skills of
becoming a firefighters, Junior Firefighters at West Ridge also participate
in various other activities and functions. They participate in
parades, fire prevention details, block parties, public relations details
and training of the new Junior Firefighters. One of the tasks that the
Junior Firefighters do every week is the apparatus checklist. This
allows the Juniors to learn the layout of the apparatus, what the tools are
and what they look like and their function. This is done under the
supervision of a Senior Firefighter.
Training is held on Monday
evenings along with the West Ridge Fire Department. Juniors are
permitted to participate in all aspects the training as long as it does not
put the Junior Firefighter into danger, violate PA Child Labor Laws or
violate the PA Junior Emergency Service Compliance Manual. Some of the
training that Junior Firefighters have participated in are search and
rescue, vehicle extrication, hose line advancement, accountability, ladders,
fire science, and ventilation.
The Junior
Firefighter Program has become a huge success. Several current
Millcreek Township Firefighters have gotten their firefighting career
started as a Junior Firefighter at the West Ridge Fire Department.
Past Junior Firefighters have gone on to become experienced firefighters at
such departments as West Ridge, West Lake, Lake Shore and Belle Valley.
Some Junior Firefighters have gone on to become career Firefighters with the
Charleston, SC Fire Department.
Application
Rules &
Regulations
PA Junior Firefighter Compliance Manual
If you would like
more information about the Junior Firefighter Division, please fee free to
stop by Station 46 on Monday evening at 6:30pm or
email the Junior Firefighters.
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