Youth ages 14-18 who live in the Hamlin area and who are interested in becoming junior firefighters in the Hamlin Fire Department are invited to an informational Open House at the fire station on January 26. Above, junior firefighters on the job. Provided photoThe Hamlin Fire Department hosts an Open House Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. for any 14-18 year olds living in the fire district interested in joining the Junior Firefighter Program. The program will teach members the skills and give them the experience needed to become a successful firefighter, according to fire department personnel.
To qualify for membership a candidate needs to live within the Hamlin Fire District, be in high school and have passing grades. Once accepted, the member is expected to attend a minimum of one drill per month. Junior members will receive quality training in a safe environment, with focus on basic skills and equipment. They are also allowed to attend weekly fire department drills for the full members, parades and fundraising events.
When trained to an acceptable level to ensure safety, junior members will be given a uniform, fire pager and encouraged to answer a select type of fire calls. When old enough, junior members can transition into full membership and become certified, class one, interior firefighters for the Hamlin Fire Department.
The open house will provide candidates and their parents the opportunity to see the facilities and equipment that will be used, interact with past members and the advisor of the program as well as with Hamlin Fire Department officers.
For information contact the advisor, John Deserto, at mandurr@earthlink.net.
