The number of volunteer firefighters is falling everywhere, while the need for them is growing.
CBS 2 NY reports on Camp Fahrenheit 516, a summer camp that is training the next generation of volunteer firefighters.
Forty-five kids attend each year, according to Jerry Presta from the Nassau County Junior Firefighter Association.
The teens are trained on such activities as dousing a car fire, repairing water pressure in a hydrant, putting out storefront flames and pulling victims from a burning building.
This camp is a national model funded by Nassau County grants from the state, State Sen. John Brooks told CBS 2.
Incentives for these junior volunteers include social and health benefits - even tuition assistance.
"To any institution that you go to, provided that you continue your service while you're going to college," said Nassau County Legislator Steven Rhodes.
Fifteen-year-old camp veteran Joseph Fox from Syosset told CBS 2 that he could not sleep in the days leading up to camp.
"I always wanted to come back and do this stuff, because I knew in my future I'd probably see myself with gear, on an engine and helping them out."
