Claremont-Bonpas Junior Firefighters Levi Woollard, left and Ben Dowty practice
rolling firehoses properly which is an essential skill in order to assure
there are no kinks when they are pressured up.
Members in one of the area’s embers in one of the area’s fire departments are looking to increase their ranks…not of active firefighters, but of young people who would be utilized in the operations in a support capacity.
The Claremont Junior Firefighter program was created by and kicked off in December 2012 by Ben Woollard, who is not only a Claremont firefighter, but is also a preacher at the Eureka Church south of Claremont. The program had started off with five children but now there are just two currently involved. They are looking for children, male or female, in an age range of 14 to 18 years who would be interested in learning skills to become a regular firefighter in any volunteer or career fire department. Those interested do not have to be in the Claremont fire district, as long as they can come to the department for the training.
The junior firefighters participate in a multitude of training procedures. All junior firefighters will be eligible to attend all regular meetings, in-house training sessions and any fire department activity. As well, they will be allowed to assist the firefighters with regular maintenance of station facilities and equipment, and will operate the pump apparatus. The junior firefighter is prohibited from responding directly to any incident scene, but he or she will be utilized as support personnel.
The Firefighter program does require proof that the junior firefighter maintains a C average or better while attending school. The candidate must be able to follow strict orders, be in good health and be physically able to perform the duties of a fire cadet.
Some training subjects in the course include ropes and knots, rescue operations, first aid, forcible entry, ventilation, fire inspection and vehicle rescue.
If this is a career a child would be interested in then “the training they learn in this program will allow them to be able to jump right in when they are of age,” Woollard said.
A total of 22 people currently work for the Claremont-Bonpas Fire Department, with two people applying for a job. The junior firefighter program is looking to have anywhere from 12 to 15 children being the maximum.
Woollard said he would like to see more children get involved and believes it will prepare the child to be honest, prepared, calm and be people of character.
Anyone interested in participating in the Junior Firefighter Program can contact Ben Woollard at the Claremont-Bonpas Fire Department at (618)-869-2316.
Claremont-Bonpas firefighter Ben Woollard, left, discusses how well
the Junior Firefighter program is going with another firefighter.