For Krystall and Kevin Borman, starting a junior firefighter program seemed only natural. Their daughter, Kylie, grew up in the firehouse at Slatington Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania and wanted to be a firefighter since she was little. When the family moved to Texas, they joined Punkin Center VFD.
“We didn’t have a junior program,” Krystall said. “And we thought, maybe it’s not such a bad idea. Us old folks won’t be around forever.”
They launched it three months ago and the group meets every Tuesday. Krystall said the main goal of the junior program is to get youth involved and help them accomplish skills.
"When they turn 18, they are set up to complete Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 to become certified firefighters," she said.
Punkin Center VFD now has four junior firefighters, most through word of mouth by Kylie.
“We’re also using Facebook to get the word out,” Kevin said.
Three of the four did a phone interview with SFFMA; Kylie, 14, Derek Fitts, 15, and Annabelle Rejino, 15. Why did they want to become junior firefighters? Annabelle answered first.
“Kylie promoted it for me,” she said. “I have friends with firefighter family members. It seems pretty cool to do that.”
Derek said, “I wanted to join since my grandpa was interested in it. Kylie told me about it, and I thought I might like it.”
Krystall said the program teaches the juniors everything from learning about equipment to emergency services in general.
“For example, tonight we have an ambulance coming to the station,” she said. “I also have a visit scheduled with a career fire department and the sheriff’s office, so they can see how it all works together.”
As they progress, Kevin said the juniors will get more into Firefighter 1 basic skills, such as learning about the pumps on trucks, hose rolls, and various mop up skills for wildland fires.
“They will also learn basic CPR and first said,” he said. “We’re currently reviewing truck familiarization. And they got their gear.”
Eventually, the students will get involved with vehicle rescue and haz mat awareness.
Per department rules and policies for the junior program, the students have limitations and cannot engage in active fire.
Krystall explained how when she wanted to start the program, she also had to meet with the department’s insurance agent to learn what was and was not allowed.
“We developed guidelines and strict SOGs (Standard Operating Guidelines) on who can do what, what requirements must be met, and so on,” she said. “For example, they must maintain passing grades in school.”
She said they also had to conduct thorough background checks on all members of the fire department.
“We have 25 pages worth of new SOGs,” Krystal said. “It was lots of work but it’s worth it.”
When asked what they’re learning, the students didn’t hesitate.
Derek said, “We’re learning the basics of firefighting, and overall knowledge.”
“The thing we’re learning is teamwork, and the basics of being a firefighter,” Annabelle said.
Kylie said she’s learning more in depth things that she didn’t know before.
“It’s what I hoped,” she said.
