Rockville Centre Fire Department introduces new junior division

This past Sunday, the Rockville Centre Fire Department accepted a dozen young adults into its new Junior Fire Department. This group of teens, from 13 to 17, is comprised of students from South Side and Oceanside middle and high schools, St. Agnes Cathedral School and Chaminade High School. The first meeting of the juniors will take place on Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fire Council Room in the 103 Maple Ave. building. At that meeting they will elect a slate of officers and accept any additional teens who volunteer as charter members of the junior department.

“This is a great opportunity for the youth of our community to participate in, and learn about volunteerism,” said Chief of Department John Busching, adding that this activity can help these young adults earn community service time, which can be a real asset when applying to college.

The growth of junior fire departments on Long Island has helped many departments increase membership and free up volunteers to provide life-saving service to their communities at a fraction of the cost of a paid department. Former Fire Chief John Mirando, who chairs the village Fire Department’s Junior Committee, said, “The training in the fire service has become much more intense over the last two decades and having a Junior Fire Department allows us to start the training process at a younger age, thereby developing a much shorter timeframe when a member turns 18 that they can provide a vital community service.”

While junior firefighters will never be put in harm’s way, they will learn the basics of firefighting and first aid. They will gain leadership abilities as they work among themselves as a team to keep the Junior Fire Department active and successful. They will participate in fundraising for their group and other activities of the fire department. Members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department will be with them throughout the process as advisors and instructors.

Anyone between 12 and 17 is welcome to join Rockville Centre’s Junior Fire Department, which will meet the first Sunday of each month, except September, at 9:30 a.m. Contact the Chief’s office at (516) 678-9254 for information, including locations of meetings, or to talk with an advisor.