CHILI, N.Y. — The Chili Fire Department has been training teenagers for 55 years through a program that prepares them for careers in emergency services. News10NBC’s Erin Mahon spoke with former and current participants to learn why they dedicate their Saturdays to serving the community.
Daniel Haag, who started with the program at age 16, said he learned essential skills like CPR, ladder and hose line use, and water rescue. He enjoyed the experience so much that he stayed on after turning 18.
“I enjoy this, and I enjoy being with the people here and doing this, and that’s what kept me here and keeps me coming back,” Haag said.
The program, now accepting teens as young as 13, was previously run through a national membership. Andy Wilkinson spent the last year transitioning the program to be department-run.
“For the most part, it is getting that leg up. Getting to experience what the department is about. What emergency services are about,” Wilkinson said.
The department, fully volunteer-staffed since 1931, reports that more than half of the teens who complete the program remain as volunteers. Recently, the department inducted its first official Restricted Active Member, or “RAMS,” participants, who were previously part of the Explorer program.
Danielle Snios, one of the new inductees, shared her motivation for joining.
“I wanna be a K-9 unit when I grow up and I figure this would be the best way to get an introduction,” Snios said.
Snios also mentioned using her life-saving skills during a real-life emergency when a friend had a seizure after a ski accident.
“So we got him on a sled and took him away and gave him basic first aid,” Snios said.
Currently, eight more teens are going through the application and interview process, with Chief Michael Lopez stating they will be inducted next month.
Any teen aged 13 through 18 can apply to the program, with a parent or guardian required to accompany them through the interview process and sign off on their participation. For more information on joining, click here.
How the Chili Fire Department’s teen program is shaping future emergency responders WHEC.com.
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