KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffAging fire department trains teens for replacement

Aging fire department trains teens for replacement

By Lauren Keith - bio | email

KARNAK, IL (KFVS) - Many volunteer firefighters staff local fire departments, and they do so for years.  When they retire, it's not often easy to replace them.  In Karnak, Illinois veteran firefighters are already training their replacements.  They've found an eager group of teenagers willing to do the hard work needed to someday fill the job slot.

"There's a lot of hard work, teamwork." said Zach Johnson, junior firefighter.

"It's a rush, you see how they do it," said Jamie Dobbins, another junior firefighter. "We're learning from them. It's great."

These teens are just two of almost a dozen youngsters in the new junior fire department in Karnak, Illinois.  While some towns in the Heartland already have programs like this, veteran volunteer firefighter Corey Marshall says this turnout is pretty impressive in his town of only 400.

"They've been training vigorously twice a week. We've got a great group," Marshall said.

That gives him comfort.  Marshall coordinates the 16-week junior training, with the intention these teens will one day take over as full volunteers.

"Itself as far as the firefighters go, it's a dying breed.  If it wasn't for juniors coming in, yeah, it would be scary. It really would," said Marshall.

The junior firefighters train under the watchful eyes of the veterans.  When the real siren sounds, the teens can go on scene, watch and help carry equipment, but they're not allowed to actually fight the flames until they reach age 18.

They've already learned a lot in the hands-on training, and now know there's a whole lot more to firefighting than simply picking up a hose.

"You have to learn how to communicate together and work together as a team," said Jamie.

"Fellowship, working on hoses, it's not all fun and games. It's a lot more work than it is fun," said Zach.

"They learn a very valuable asset and they become very valuable to their community," Marshall said.

If you'd like more information on the program, call Corey Marshall at (618) 921-1454.

Saturday, August 8th, the junior department is hositng a fundraiser to further their training.  They'll host a car wash and bake sale at the department starting at 8 a.m.

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