Junior Firefighters To Tape Drill

Named as the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year for 2010 and nominated for 2011 by the National Volunteer Fire Council, the junior firefighters of will taped a fire on Jan. 21 for use in the council's junior firefighter education program.

During the drill, the junior firefighters, ages 12 to 18, will practice basement fire strategy and tactics that include hydrant connection from an engine, a basement attack team, and victim rescue as well as other firematic skills necessary to combat a basement fire.

The Westhampton Beach Fire Department's junior firefighter program started in 2004 with a goal to provide young adults the firsthand experience of what it is like to be a member of the volunteer fire department.

Some 30 junior firefighters meet two times a month and are given training that follows the Firefighter 1 program taught by the Suffolk County Fire Academy and educational courses in Fire Engineering, according to Cody Hoyle, who serves as as one of the program's supervisors.

Hoyle says the junior firefighters also participate in area parades, fire department fundraisers such as car washes, community service projects and during the holidays they bake cookies and sing carols to widows of fire personnel.

"These kids are fantastic," said Hoyle. "When we expect 15 kids to show up for an event, we end up with 25."

Currently, Hoyle said the program has a waiting list of four kids.

To see photos of the junior firefighters in action, visit their Facebook page here.