| On Saturday April 30, members of the Mt. Airy Junior Fire Company participated in the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association (CCVESA) Junior Firefighters Day at the Carroll County Training Center in Westminster. This is an annual event where Junior Firefighters from all fourteen Carroll County fire companies come together for a day of training, comraderie, and competitions.
The day began at 0700 hours with registration followed by an overview of HazMat 30, a demonstration of auto extrication by Squad 12, and a demonstration of a USAR search dog by Mike Berry. At 0900 the juniors were divided into four groups, then they attended hands on learning stations covering overland rappelling, search and rescue, the maze, EMS, and confined space. Following a break for lunch, they then participated in three timed competitions - Donning of Turnout Gear, Hose Hook Up and a Bucket Brigade where a 55 gallon drum must be filled by hand using 5 gallon buckets. The final event was a "Battle of the Bucket" where each team uses a charged hoseline to move a bucket on a wire past the opposing team. While this event is not a competition with a prize attached, it seems to be the most enjoyable for the participants since everyone is wet when it is finished.
The day wrapped up with the awarding of certificates and announcing the winners of the competitions. The Mt. Airy Juniors placed second in the Donning of the Gear, third in the Hose Hook Up and third in the Bucket Brigade. They were then awarded a check for $75 for placing second Overall. All in all, it turned out to be a very enjoyable, rewarding day for all. Members attending from Mt. Airy were Steven Stull, Devin Gue, Josh Tievy, T J Burdette, Walt Stone, Brady Fogle, Asst. Chief Sue Hubble and Junior Advisor Gary Hubble. Thanks to our Juniors for a job well done! You make us proud! |
