The Township of Carling has launched its first-ever Junior Firefighter Program and is seeking recruits.
“We’ve got a great environment to learn up here because all the fire departments work well together,” said Carling Fire Department chief Gord Harrison.
After receiving some requests from the community to investigate the matter, Harrison said it only made sense for the department to create its own program.
The chief said he’s optimistic to offer the program to Carling residents aged 15 to 17 years old.
“We’ll train them in most aspects of firefighting. They don’t respond to calls,” said Harrison.
Recruits will be trained in programs such as First Aid, CPR, wildland fire training, structural fire training, and other skills.
“We will put them through all those programs very safely and (make) sure they know how to use the protective gear and things like that.”
Along with completing high school volunteer hours, Harrison said junior firefighters build confidence as they learn various valuable skills.
“There’s a lot of transferable skills that you’ll learn like being able to manage yourself in an emergency situation.”
For more information, contact the department by email at fire@carling.ca.
