When things heat up, members of the Hedgesville 4-H Junior Volunteer Fire Company know how to keep their cool, thanks in part to hands-on training and skills they’ve learned from West Virginia 4-H.

The specialty 4-H Club, a program of the West Virginia University Extension Service, has earned the title of the National Volunteer Fire Council Junior Firefighter Program of the Year, and according to Club leader Keena Crowell, the teens involved are learning more than just fire training – they’re learning life skills.

“We teach fundamentals of fire rescue and EMT training,” Crowell said, a 30-year veteran of the emergency services fields. “We’re also teaching comradery, respect and teamwork.”

Crowell added that the most vital skill learned is that of critical thinking, which youth learn in simulated emergency situations.

“We do different activities to teach them how to approach emergency situations, like what to watch out for when entering a burning building and how to act quickly and maintain composure in stressful situations,” said Crowell.

Crowell said that an estimated 85 to 90 percent of her club members move on to pursue either a volunteer or paid career position as a firefighter or EMT as adults. However, those who do not further pursue the field still walk away from the program with the foundation for success, she said.

Positive Youth Development is an essential element of the 4-H mission, which seeks to equip youths with the tools they need to reach their fullest potential, said Berkeley County WVU Extension 4-H Agent Doug Hovatter.

“The junior firefighter program focuses on the four-fold 4-H model of the Head, Heart, Hands and Health,” said Hovatter.

Within 4-H, the “Head” programming relates to developing life skills and knowledge; “Heart” builds self-esteem and character; “Hands” seeks to foster volunteerism and citizenship; and “Health” works to instill healthy habits and values.

“These young participants are doing something they like to do, learning things that they’re good at, and after being evaluated with other junior clubs at the national level, they came out on top,” said Hovatter. “It’s awesome.”

In addition to participating in their own trainings, members of the Hedgesville 4-H Junior Volunteer Fire Company attend the annual Junior Firefighter Camp at the State Fire Academy located at WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp in Weston, said Hovatter. Participants of the week-long camp learn everything from live fire training to hoseline operations and teambuilding to vehicle extrication.

“The camp provides excellent workforce development preparation and allows the youths to gain more insight into becoming a long-term employee of emergency services,” said Hovatter.

Crowell and members of the Hedgesville 4-H Junior Volunteer Fire Company will travel to Alexandria, Virginia, in April to attend the NVFC’s annual Awards Reception and Dinner as guests of honor.

To help sponsor the club’s April trip to Alexandria, contact Crowell at 304-676-7010. Checks should be addressed to HVFD 4-H Junior Vol. Fire Company, Hedgesville Fire Department, P.O. Box 135, Hedgesville, WV, 25427.

For more information on the Junior Firefighter Camp, slated for June 27 to July 1 in Weston, visit www.fireservice.ext.wvu.edu/schools_training/jr_fire_fighter_camp.

To learn more about new opportunities in the 4-H program, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

bu/03/17/15

CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu

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