Junior Firefighters...

WHERE DO FIREFIGHTER’S COME FROM?   

Children are constantly changing their minds about what they would like to be when they grow up.  One day it’s a cowboy, another a policeman, and still another a fireman.  Most don’t become any of the three, but that may be, in part, because they are never exposed to what these professions are really like.  The Jefferson Fire Department has taken steps to alleviate this problem.

The Department has developed and instituted a program to give high school students an insight into the professional firefighting profession.  The program is called the Junior Firefighter Program and is open to all students, male and female, from ages 14 through 18.  The Program provides an opportunity for these young people to provide a service to the community while learning about the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department.

Each prospective member is required to fill out an application, including, among other things, a Medical Evaluation Form and a Parental Consent Form.  Each member is issued a complete set of firefighting personal protective gear and taught what each piece is designed to do and how it is used.  They go through classroom training covering academics and theory of firefighting and receive actual hands-on training of some of the tools and equipment used in firefighting.  Everything in the Program is designed to allow a member to experience what firefighters go through to become qualified professionals.  Upon reaching his/her 18^th birthday, the individual must leave the Program, but they are eligible to go to the Georgia State Firefighting Academy and take the test for basic firefighter.  Successful completion of this test is a benefit for those individuals who make application for any Fire Department vacancy, and potentially for employment with that Department.

The Program members and staff meet once a week on Monday nights, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Jefferson Fire Station #2, located on old Highway 129 just North of town.  Meetings are limited during the school year so as not to interfere with schoolwork and school related activities.  During the summer months, members can volunteer to spend an entire day with the Department personnel who are on duty and further experience the activities associated with Fire Department duties.  This would include accompanying personnel dispatched on fires and fire related calls.  However, care is taken to assure the safety of the Junior Firefighter, who will be allowed to perform jobs commensurate with their level of training and abilities.  The Junior Firefighters are not allowed into any situations where their safety might be in jeopardy or that might result in their injury.

If you think you may be interested in joining this Program, and meet the age requirements, stop by Jefferson Fire Station #2 next Monday night and visit with the members of the program and Jefferson Fire Department personnel.  Parents are encouraged to attend as well, since they will be the ones who ultimately give permission for participation in the program.   If you’re unable to attend a Monday night meeting, call or stop by either Jefferson Fire Station anytime during the day, talk with the personnel on duty and pick up an application.  The telephone number for the Fire Department is, 706-387-7400.

Junior Firefighters currently participating in the Program along with the Program Coordinator and Staff.  Shown from left to right, kneeling: Paul Tate and Dustin Perdue; standing: Brad Miller (Program Coordinator), Andrew Norris, Zack Fields, Jeremy Gee, Chris Sailors, Chris Swims, Richie Carigan (Program Staff), and Josh Godfrey (Assistant Program Advisor).	Junior Firefighters receive instructions in the operation of mechanized equipment used by the Jefferson Fire Department in suppressing structural and wildland fires.  Here Juniors are being instructed in pump operations on Department’s Tanker.  Shown from left to right: Richie Carigan (Program Staff), Paul Tate, Chris Sailors, Andrew Norris, and Dustin Perdue.
All firefighters must know what each piece of personal protective is used for and how it is donned.  Here the Juniors are given an opportunity to practice getting dressed in their protective clothing.  Shown from left to right: Brad Miller (Program Coordinator), Chris Sailors, and Jeremy Gee.	Part of the personal protective equipment used by all firefighters is the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  Although the Juniors will not undertake any activities directly involved in fire fighting, they still must learn how the equipment functions and how to use it properly.  Here the Juniors receive instruction in the operation of this equipment.  Shown from left to right: Richie Carigan (Program Staff), Paul Tate, Chris Sailors, Jeremy Gee, Chris Swims, Dustin Perdue, and Zack Fields.