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Those in the area who are interested in becoming a firefighter now have an outlet to help them reach their future career goals.
The Washington Fire Department Exploring Program was recently established in an effort to reach out to young men and women in the community and increase their knowledge of the careers in the fire service industry.
“What we do is we take the kids that are interested in fire service, train them, pretty much like the firefighters here are trained, teach them the ins and outs, how to help perform tasks that we normally do and get them ready to go so when they turn 18, if they live here in town, they can apply for this department or apply anywhere else pretty much,” Captain Jason Cook said.
The topics taught in the program include search and rescue, forcible entry and engine operation, among others.
“They’re getting actual training as a firefighter. It’s not just sit in a classroom and watch videos,” Cook said.
Outside of operations related to fire safety, the participants also learn and develop strong character traits.
“They’re learning teamwork,” Cook said. “We have a chain of command set up to where we have a chief, assistant chief and a captain. So they get the leadership experience.”
The program has been in the Central Illinois area for a while, but was only recently opened in Washington.
“As far as the exploring program, Northern Tazewell started it five years ago. Last March, Washington Fire kind of teamed up with them because personnel wise they didn’t have the people,” Cook said.
Teaching the potential firefighters who reside in Washington has an added bonus to the department.
“We’re teaching them first of all career goals, but the kids that are coming into this program, especially if they live in town, may be the future of this department,” Cook said. “They’ll already have an idea of how the department works.”
One of the Washington residents currently involved is Courtney Williams, who has been a part of the Washington Exploring Program for about a year.
“My brother and my dad are both firefighters so that was really my influence to become a firefighter,” Williams said. “I think (the program) gives you a lot of experience with the career.”
Williams’ future career goals show that participating in the program can open up other doors besides becoming a firefighter.
Those in the area who are interested in becoming a firefighter now have an outlet to help them reach their future career goals.
The Washington Fire Department Exploring Program was recently established in an effort to reach out to young men and women in the community and increase their knowledge of the careers in the fire service industry.
“What we do is we take the kids that are interested in fire service, train them, pretty much like the firefighters here are trained, teach them the ins and outs, how to help perform tasks that we normally do and get them ready to go so when they turn 18, if they live here in town, they can apply for this department or apply anywhere else pretty much,” Captain Jason Cook said.
The topics taught in the program include search and rescue, forcible entry and engine operation, among others.
“They’re getting actual training as a firefighter. It’s not just sit in a classroom and watch videos,” Cook said.
Outside of operations related to fire safety, the participants also learn and develop strong character traits.
“They’re learning teamwork,” Cook said. “We have a chain of command set up to where we have a chief, assistant chief and a captain. So they get the leadership experience.”
The program has been in the Central Illinois area for a while, but was only recently opened in Washington.
“As far as the exploring program, Northern Tazewell started it five years ago. Last March, Washington Fire kind of teamed up with them because personnel wise they didn’t have the people,” Cook said.
Teaching the potential firefighters who reside in Washington has an added bonus to the department.
“We’re teaching them first of all career goals, but the kids that are coming into this program, especially if they live in town, may be the future of this department,” Cook said. “They’ll already have an idea of how the department works.”
One of the Washington residents currently involved is Courtney Williams, who has been a part of the Washington Exploring Program for about a year.
“My brother and my dad are both firefighters so that was really my influence to become a firefighter,” Williams said. “I think (the program) gives you a lot of experience with the career.”
Williams’ future career goals show that participating in the program can open up other doors besides becoming a firefighter.
“Hopefully (I will) become a firefighter and move on to be an arson investigator in the future,” Williams said.
Another resident involved in the program, who will be finished with his second year in May, is Ian Wisher.
“Talking to my brother got me interested in it. My brother is on Northern Tazewell and I heard about this,” Wisher said.
Wisher has some advice for future participants of the program.
“Just be ready to work hard and listen,” he said.
While the youth involved with the program have to work hard, Cook believes there is a common misconception regarding firefighting.
“I think a lot of kids don’t know if they can physically do it. I mean, you don’t have to be a big strong football player to be a fireman. Anyone can do it,” Cook said. “The other thing is I don’t know how many kids know that this is actually a volunteer department. We’re volunteers, so we’re doing this on our own time.”
Meetings are every other Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., and those who choose to join have to make it to at least six out of the 13 meetings in a six-month period.
“We encourage everyone to be there all the time because there may be something that they want to learn about that we’re doing the week that they’re gone,” Cook said. “School work is number one though. Grades and school come first.”
Those interested in participating in the Washington Fire Department Exploring Program can contact Captain Jason Cook at 370-5029 or contact the department at 444-8642.
