October 17, 2008
In this issue:
- Internship Opportunity Available with the National Fire Academy
- High School Seniors: Colleges to Consider
- Keep Your Community Safe on Halloween
- Get Active: Operation Santa Parade
- Who Has Reached 150 Hours?
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Internship Opportunity Available with the National Fire Academy
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for the United States Fire Administration (USFA)? Now is your chance to find out! USFA has launched a new college internship program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Students will have the opportunity to assist with curriculum and training development as well as conduct research on topics such as Hazardous Materials and Public Fire Education. The internship is full-time, and students are expected to work with USFA staff, participate in weekly meetings with staff, and assist with emergent projects as needed.
Students accepted into the program will receive housing in private rooms on campus and can attend up to two classes at the National Fire Academy. The program also offers the opportunity to network with men and women in the fire service from across the country.
To be considered, students must be classified as sophomores or juniors at a regionally accredited college or university, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and have satisfactorily passed introductory courses in a fire or emergency service related field.
For more information on the National Fire Academy’s internship opportunities, including how to apply, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/nfa-082708.shtm.
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High School Seniors: Colleges to Consider
Fall is here, which means that high school seniors across the country are beginning the process of selecting and applying to colleges and universities. As a junior firefighter, you may be interested in pursuing a degree in a field related to the emergency services, such as fire engineering, fire science, emergency management, or others. These fields hold many opportunities. As Thomas Woodford, Associate Professor and Department Head of the Fire Protection and Safety Technology program at Oklahoma State University, noted, “Opportunities for women and minorities are at an all-time high, and graduates are enjoying record placement rates of nearly 100 percent.”
Many schools across the country offer degree programs in an emergency service-related field, but where do you start? The National Junior Firefighter Program is here to help. We have compiled a state-by-state listing of colleges and universities that offer at least one field of study in the emergency services. View this list of schools at www.nvfc.org/juniors, in the Resources for Juniors section.
To provide you with an idea of the variety of options available, below are profiles of a few of the schools:
Oklahoma State University
Location: Stillwater, OK
Enrollment: 32,178
Programs: Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
Web site: www.okstate.edu
Other details: The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology. The International Fire Service Training Association/Fire Protection Publications is located onsite.
University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
Enrollment: 36,785
Programs: Fire Protection Engineering
Maryland Fire Rescue Institute Certifications
Web site: www.umd.edu
Other details: The Maryland Fire Rescue Institute (www.mfri.org) is housed on site and provides training and certificate programs for students and non-students.
Columbia Southern University
Location: Online
Enrollment: 14,000
Programs: Fire Science
Occupational Safety and Health
Web site: www.columbiasouthern.edu
Other details: Associates, bachelors, and certificate programs are available. Students are given flexibility to complete a course at their own pace within a ten week period.
View the full list of colleges and universities.
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Keep Your Community Safe on Halloween
Halloween is almost here, and this is an opportunity for your junior firefighter program to educate your community about Halloween safety so everyone stays safe on October 31. Below are Halloween safety tips and suggestions provided by fire and emergency response organizations across the nation. Use your junior firefighters to communicate this information to residents in your area to ensure a safe and happy Halloween.
NFPA’s Sparky the Fire Dog provides Halloween safety tips and safety games for children. Kids can send a Halloween Safety E-Card to their friends and families. The site also provides additional safety information and tools parents can use to help their children make positive choices about personal safety and help them lead safer lives.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has compiled a list of Halloween safety suggestions including choosing a safe costume, safe party guidelines, fun alternatives to trick-or-treating, fire-safe decorating tips, and more.
The American Red Cross offers ideas on how to make this Halloween a "fright-free" event, including information on pet safety, costume concerns, driving precautions, and more.
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs reminds us that while this may be the time of year for ghosts, goblins, and witches, it is not the time to let your guard down when it comes to being fire safe. Utilize the Halloween safety tips provided in this press release.
The National Crime Prevention Council provides safety tips, games, and advice for Halloween, including this printable coloring sheet of McGruff’s Halloween Safety Tips for kids and a pumpkin maze.
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Get Active: Operation Santa Parade
Upper Makefield Fire Company (UMFC), with the help of its junior firefighters, has hosted the Operation Santa Parade in Washington Crossing, PA, for the past 12 years. The purpose of the event is to provide fire safety information to families within the township. Firefighters and junior firefighters ride a fire truck through town to distribute up to 1,500 holiday bags to children and adults. These bags are filled with fire prevention brochures and information, as well as pens, pencils, coloring books, and other items geared mostly towards children.
The event always takes place on a Sunday, usually a week or two before Christmas. The parade lasts from about 9 a.m. until evening and covers every navigable road within the township. Community members can visit the department’s web site in advance to track the route and the expected time of arrival in their area. After the parade, the citizens are invited to the fire station to have their pictures taken with Santa. They can also donate a nonperishable food item to the local food pantry in exchange for a raffle ticket for a six-foot long stocking.
Over the years, UMFC has gained a tremendous amount of support for this event. Many families present department members with refreshments along the route, and Girl Scout troops usually provide sandwiches for lunch. An area pizza shop typically offers the department a discounted dinner as well. The junior firefighters provide invaluable assistance throughout the planning and execution stages of the event.
“The juniors are the foundation of energy at UMFC! They are constantly full of energy and ideas - running around, carrying boxes, picking up candy, and willing to give me their all,” said Stephanie Alessi, Chairperson of the event.
Operation Santa Parade is advertised on the fire department’s web site, as well as on the marquee in front of the station. Local businesses participate by promoting the event in their stores, placing advertisements in event materials, and donating materials to be included in the bags. The department’s fire prevention budget covers the remaining costs.
Your junior program, with the help of department members, can execute a similar fire prevention event. If you cannot cover every street in your district, you can plan a particular route where people can gather along the predetermined streets. Local businesses may be interested in purchasing advertising in event materials or making donations, and any remaining costs may be covered through your public education budget or fundraising efforts by your junior firefighters.
For more information about the UMFC Operation Santa Parade, contact Mike Abrams at mabrams@umfc.org.
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Who Has Reached 150 Hours?
This month, the National Junior Firefighter Program would like to recognize the following junior firefighters who have reached the 150 hour mark. Click on their names to access their profiles, or go to www.nvfc.org/juniors and click on the tab for Junior Firefighter Profiles.
Nick P., MT
Collin A., PA
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* The National Junior Firefighter Program does not advocate juniors participating in operational activities. Departments should determine for themselves and within state laws how their junior firefighters will be involved.
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