WMFD teams up with Boy Scouts for Junior Firefighters Program

Program currently accepting applications

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Never one to rest on their laurels the West Memphis Fire Department is teaming up with the Boy Scouts of America to create the Junior Firefighters program in association with the Boy Scouts Explorer program. Exploring is a co-ed youth program for young adults aged 16-20 offers hands-on career discovery through interactive activities that help youth pursue special interests, grow, and develop.

“The Junior Firefighters is about helping young men and women make more informed decisions about future careers and determine if the fire service is something they might like to do,” says West Memphis Fire Chief Barry Ealy, “We can all agree that we have a youth problem. We have got that figured out, but how can we come up with solutions and ideas to give teens other options and expose them to something to make better decisions, giving them options and mentorships.”

The Junior Firefighters program aligns with the school calendar and meets twice a month for two hours on the first and third Saturday throughout the year, but Ealy went on to say that it’s not all about “classroom instruction and slideshows” but that young adults get real-world firefighting experience, mentorship and training. If applicants meet certain requirements they can ride along on the fire engine to real fires and see the WMPD in action and all that they do. If the young members like what they see, Ealy says there is a very real possibility that they will be hired on when they turn 18.

“Although we are under the umbrella of the Explorer Program and the Boy Scouts it is not necessary to became a Boy Scout. It is a separate program entirely.” Ealy made clear, “They do the program for several civil services including police, ems, science, health but of course we are focusing on the fire program.”

“It all starts with leadership” says Ealy, “I can teach you what I know, sure, but if you are a leader with sympathy and empathy for others, the people that work for you will take on those attributes. We cultivate and recruit future firefighters and though that impact the welfare of the community. I often quote John Quincy Adams who said ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’”

Members of the WMFD pose for a photo with Boy Scout reps from Shelby County.

Photo by WMFD