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Light Drizzle Fog/Mist The future of the fire department
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Joseph Capone, Jessica Fare and Richie Field were sworn in during the juniors meeting at the fire department headquarters on Rockaway Parkway.
Fare, 13, said she doesn't know if she wants to be a firefighter when she gets older. "That's what I want to find out," she said. "I want to have some previous experience if I want to join the fire department when I get older."
Her father, Ed Fare, is a member of Ladder Company No. 2 and a former captain in the department. Also a village trustee, he swore in the three new members.
The Valley Stream Junior Fire Department is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 17. Children of firefighters, like Field, can join at 11. Field said he has been looking forward to the day he could join the juniors for several years.
Capone, 13, doesn't have any relatives in the fire department but heard about the juniors from someone he knows and thought it would be worthwhile to join. He said it would be a chance to make some new friends and learn the basics of firefighting.
The Junior Fire Department has about 20 members. Mike Field is the group's advisor with Dianne Van Dunk and Tracey Calhoun serving as assistant advisors. Alyna Van Dunk is captain, Steven Field is lieutenant and Brianna Ortiz is the secretary.
Mike Field said the juniors learn how to put on firefighting equipment, the chain of command in a fire department and at a fire scene, and discipline. The group also marches in parades and participates in tournaments.
"We get them ready for firefighting," he said, adding that the goal is to have the members ready to join any company in the department when they turn 18.
The juniors also train with the firefighters. The only thing they can't do, Field said, is ride a truck to an emergency scene. Those who do make it to a fire, he said, help firefighters change the bottles of air in their breathing apparatus. And afterwards, when the fire is out and the building is deemed safe, the juniors can go in with a commanding officer and learn about the investigation process.
To join, Field said, one has to attend three meetings and then they can be sworn in. This shows that the person is dedicated and willing to make a commitment to the Junior Fire Department. Juniors are provided with uniforms and other apparel.
Field said that about half of the members are not even children of firefighters, and there more girls than boys right now. He also said that a majority do go on to become department members when they are old enough. "These kids are the future of the Valley Stream Fire Department," he said.
The Valley Stream Junior Fire Department meets the first and third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are at the fire department headquarters on Rockaway Parkway. For more information, call Mike Field at (516) 865-2913.
Fare, 13, said she doesn't know if she wants to be a firefighter when she gets older. "That's what I want to find out," she said. "I want to have some previous experience if I want to join the fire department when I get older."
Her father, Ed Fare, is a member of Ladder Company No. 2 and a former captain in the department. Also a village trustee, he swore in the three new members.
The Valley Stream Junior Fire Department is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 17. Children of firefighters, like Field, can join at 11. Field said he has been looking forward to the day he could join the juniors for several years.
Capone, 13, doesn't have any relatives in the fire department but heard about the juniors from someone he knows and thought it would be worthwhile to join. He said it would be a chance to make some new friends and learn the basics of firefighting.
Mike Field said the juniors learn how to put on firefighting equipment, the chain of command in a fire department and at a fire scene, and discipline. The group also marches in parades and participates in tournaments.
"We get them ready for firefighting," he said, adding that the goal is to have the members ready to join any company in the department when they turn 18.
The juniors also train with the firefighters. The only thing they can't do, Field said, is ride a truck to an emergency scene. Those who do make it to a fire, he said, help firefighters change the bottles of air in their breathing apparatus. And afterwards, when the fire is out and the building is deemed safe, the juniors can go in with a commanding officer and learn about the investigation process.
To join, Field said, one has to attend three meetings and then they can be sworn in. This shows that the person is dedicated and willing to make a commitment to the Junior Fire Department. Juniors are provided with uniforms and other apparel.
Field said that about half of the members are not even children of firefighters, and there more girls than boys right now. He also said that a majority do go on to become department members when they are old enough. "These kids are the future of the Valley Stream Fire Department," he said.
The Valley Stream Junior Fire Department meets the first and third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are at the fire department headquarters on Rockaway Parkway. For more information, call Mike Field at (516) 865-2913.
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