Nearly 50 teenage volunteer firefighters from across Long Island spent part of their summer learning advanced firefighting skills at Camp Fahrenheit 516, a weeklong training program designed to prepare the next generation of volunteer firefighters.
The camp, sponsored by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, was held July 20-24 at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage. Forty-eight junior firefighters and explorers, ages 14 to 18, representing 25 fire departments in Nassau and Suffolk counties participated in five days of hands-on instruction.
“The camp is phenomenal,” Chief Paul Wilders said. “They get a little taste of everything that we put our regular firefighters through in firefighter one.”
Participants trained in a variety of firefighting and emergency response techniques, including search-and-rescue operations, forcible entry, emergency evacuation procedures, ground ladder operations, fire extinguisher drills, ropes and rescue skills, mask confidence exercises, two-minute drills and second-story bailouts. The program also included live-fire training involving propane, vehicle and warehouse fire simulations under the supervision of certified instructors.
The Nassau County Fire Service Academy and FASNY also hosted a media day during the camp, offering a firsthand look at the intensive training junior firefighters receive and highlighting the role they play in preparing for future volunteer service.
“It's important to volunteer at any level,” Jerry Presta, chairman of the Nassau County Junior Firefighter Association said, “but anybody that wants to join and become a junior, they should contact their local fire department.”
Volunteer fire departments across New York continue to face recruitment challenges as emergency call volumes increase. In addition to responding to structure fires, today's volunteer firefighters regularly respond to medical emergencies, motor vehicle crashes, flooded basements, downed power lines and other public safety incidents.
“By these youth programs, this gives young potential firefighters the experience and helps them decide if they really want to become a volunteer firefighter,” Steve Klein, past president of FASNY said.
Teens from throughout the county came out, including Island Park’s Walker Casey, 16.
“It's very good to get active, especially in your community,” he said. “If you want to be a firefighter, it is a totally great program to join.”
James Nurnbergur, 17, also of Island Park, echoed that sentiment, noting that the program helped participants “learn a bunch of new stuff.”
Fire service leaders said programs such as Camp Fahrenheit 516 help build the pipeline of future volunteers by giving teenagers interested in the fire service an opportunity to develop skills, gain experience and learn about the responsibilities of serving their communities before they are eligible to become active volunteer firefighters.
“We definitely need more people, and they have the drive to do it,” Emily Brown, president of Nassau County Junior Fire Association said. “As long as they're having fun, that's really what matters.”
Camp Fahrenheit 516 was established in 2015 through a partnership among the Nassau County Junior Firefighter Association Board of Directors, the Nassau County Fire Service Academy staff, Fire Service Academy instructors and FASNY. The program was created to provide junior firefighters and explorers with realistic, hands-on training while encouraging the next generation of volunteer firefighters on Long Island.
