Junior Firefighters Graduate (October 15, 2004)

Three of the Schooleys Mountain Junior Firefighters recently completed basic training at the first Junior Firefighter class given by the Morris County Fire Academy. Dan Lennon, Kiera Ogden and Jennifer Peach completed essentially the same curriculum as basic firefighter trainees with the exception of live burns and ladder climbs. Once these juniors turn 18 years old, they need only to complete several hands-on training sessions and will be state certified Firefighter I graduates.

Junior firefighters are ages 16 to 18 and assist the regular firefighting members with equipment and support at fire scenes. They cannot enter burning buildings or hazardous scenes, but gain valuable knowledge resulting in their high competency and immediate transition to regular firefighter once they turn 18.

Below, Chief Fire Instructor Jack Alderton presents the class with a plaque to be displayed at the academy honoring their accomplishment as the first Junior Firefighter trainees to graduate from the academy.

The class photo which includes Department Chiefs and firefighting family members of the graduates.