Jan. 16--Beginning in the 1920s, active members of the Linwood Volunteer Fire Company have helped to protect their community. Since February 2012, junior members, ages 14-18, have been working to take on the same responsibility.
Led by the department's secretary and treasurer, Marc Ginsberg, the Fire Explorers -- a Boy Scouts program, but not exclusive to boys -- prepare high school-age students to attend the fire academy and join the department once they turn 18. Training activities include everything a normal member of the department would be required to learn, Ginsberg said.
"They learn everything else that a regular firefighter does," the Linwood resident said. "Once they have enough training and know the equipment on the truck, they can come to calls. ... It's on them to learn as much as they can as fast as they can to go on a truck."
Ginsberg noted how much the young group looked like his regular members -- the only major differences were orange helmets for Explorers and yellow for department members, and a few restrictions.
"Explorers, by state rules, are not permitted to go into a building or use extrication tools," Ginsberg said. By law, firefighters also must be 21 years old to drive any emergency vehicle.
The relatively new local program has seen three Explorers move on and graduate from the academy. Ginsberg's stepson Chris Jaspe, 18, was the first.
Through its 154 hours of training, Ginsberg sees the program as an opportunity for young members to see if firefighting is a committment they are willing to make.
"Firefighting isn't for everybody. This is a program that will teach them responsibility, service to the community (and) what it takes to be a firefighter," he said. "Some of them want to go on to make it their career. They'll get a good idea if they'll want to do that."
Joining the fire company at age 18 takes dedication, Ginsberg said, adding that the decision will involve both time and costly investments. Firefighter gear can cost about $2,500 and a pager alone can cost as much as $500, he said.
Firefighter John Biel, 22, has been a member of the department for two years and helps advise the younger group. The benefits of the program, he said, would have been helpful for him at that age.
"They are learning everything before they even get to the academy," he said. "If they want to pursue this for a career, it's teaching them a lot about that. It also teaches friendship and working as one."
On a recent Thursday night, the seven active Explorers, all 17 and 18 years old, learned the proper ladder drill, dressed in full gear.
Members have lent their services, large or small, to real calls, Ginsberg said, noting a specific incident involving two Dumpster fires last week. Anything from assistance with exhaust fans, extension cords and replacing air packs become vital tasks performed by the teens, he said.
Kalliopi Herouvis, 17, a senior at Mainland Regional High School, initially had dreams of becoming a police officer, but since undergoing EMT and Explorer training, she changed her mind.
"I joined because this is what I wanted to do," she said. "I like this more than wanting to be a cop."
Tyler Krumaker, 17, also learned the ladder drill that night, but hooking the hoses up to hydrants has proved to be the most interesting drill the group's learned so far, he said. The Mainland Regional High School senior said that firefighting would be in his future.
"My family has always been in firefighting," he said, hoping to preserve the tradition.
Ginsberg and his advisers encourage anyone of the appropriate age to come out for the experience, and if nothing else, the coordinator expects relationships to grow.
"It's become a group of friends they come to and hang out with," he said.
To join the Fire Explorers, visit the Linwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 at 750 Lincoln Ave. for an application, or call 609-377-1902.
Contact Caitlin Honan:
609-272-7227
Copyright 2013 - The Press of Atlantic City, Pleasantville, N.J.
