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| The junior firefighter program was founded in the year 2004 |
The Westhampton Beach Junior Fire Company is an outstanding example of what a junior firefighter program can achieve.
The Westhampton Beach (NY) Fire Department’s Junior Fire Company has received the 2010 NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award. The award, which is sponsored by Tyco International, was presented on April 30 during the NVFC Spring Board Meeting in Alexandria, VA.
Paul Hoyle, junior firefighter program advisor from Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Chip Bancroft, 1st Assistant Chief of the department, and several members of the Junior Fire Company were present to accept the award on behalf of the junior program. During the presentation, NVFC Board member David Jacobowitz (NY) read a proclamation from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York recognizing the achievements of the Westhampton Junior Fire Company.
“I want to say how proud we are of our junior program, and thank you to the NVFC and Tyco for this award,” said Bancroft. He also recognized two members that the fire department had lost within the past year, including a co-founder of the junior program.
“The Westhampton Beach Junior Fire Company is an outstanding example of what a junior firefighter program can achieve,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “Their junior firefighters completed over 1,100 hours of meetings, trainings, and community service last year. These dedicated juniors have committed themselves to giving back to the community while raising awareness of the importance of the fire service. They serve as an inspiration for youth programs across the country.”
Westhampton firefighters have organized several fundraisers to benefit conmmunity groups |
Founded in 2004, the program has a current membership of 25 junior firefighters ages 12-18. They meet twice each month, followed by training which is built around Firefighter I curriculum. In the past year, the Westhampton junior firefighters have organized several fundraisers to benefit different community groups. These include spearheading a rock concert that raised over $1,100 for a veterans organization as well as holding an annual car wash to raise funds for the local burn center. In 2009, the juniors decided to donate the proceeds from the car wash to their advisor’s cancer recovery fund.
In addition, the juniors presented a fire safety puppet show to local home schooled children who missed out on public school presentations. They wrapped up the year with their sixth annual cookie bake. Over 750 cookies were delivered, accompanied by caroling, to widows, widowers, and those who are sick. The Westhampton junior firefighters impact the entire community throughout the year. Learn more at the following link.
The NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award is sponsored by Tyco International. Tyco International is a diversified, global company that provides vital products and services to customers in more than 60 countries and has 113,000 employees worldwide. Tyco is a leading provider of security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, valves and controls, and other industrial products. Internationally recognized Tyco product brands include Scott, Ansul, Simplex, Sensormatic, and Software House. More information about Tyco can be found at the following link.
