The New Market Volunteer Fire Department is actively looking for young people between the ages of 14  – 18 to become junior volunteers. Not only is this experience an excellent pathway to a career in health care, criminal justice, medicine and fire and rescue, it also gives students volunteer hours and confidence to act in emergency situations.  For some, it is also a way to make strong friendships.

As a freshman in high school,  junior volunteers take the first steps and learn about the functions of the trucks and apparatus. They are taught all about all the tools and what to do in certain situations. They also can sign up for events such as parades, community shows and more. 

Sophomore Vince Prouty said, “If you are interested in a first responder career you should look into it because it is very educational and it has been a great learning experience over the past year that I have been a member.”

Firefighter Phil Gamble said “Junior membership is extremely important. It is imperative that firefighters learn proper fire fighting and life saving training at a early age thus promoting and retaining good skills that will be vital throughout the career of a good firefighter. These skills may save a life someday.”

Classes become available for volunteers age 16 and up. They first take a basic required class like CPR and then they can take Fire 1 or EMT. Once these classes are done,  you can get a certification which lets you ride in the ambulance or a fire truck to help out on calls.

I work there every Monday night, and sometimes it’s very quiet with no calls, while other nights we get numerous calls. Usually those calls are primarily medical related. A common medical call is trouble breathing. In August there was 62 fire related incidents and 97 EMS related incidents.

The New Market Volunteer Fire Company has been great and has helped me learn all about first responder jobs. I have made many new friendships. Every Monday I go to the firehouse and we make a dinner, eat together and do drills. The drills we do include, getting in and out of gear, learning about where all the tools are on the trucks and we sometimes get the tools out and practice with them.

One of my favorite memories from the firehouse is when I came in for my first shift and I met a bunch of friendly people. That night they had planned to do drills and practice using some of the tools and equipment. We took rescue tools behind the firehouse where there were two cars, and we got to practice using the tools to tear through the car. We used one of the jaws of life (hydraulic spreaders)  to tear the doors off the car. It was one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. 

 It is very rewarding and volunteers learn a lot while also helping your community. This is a great way to volunteer and help your community. 

A great way to support the New Market Volunteer Fire Department is to come to all of the events and fundraisers that the firehouse holds. This December 16 the New Market Volunteer Fire Department will be holding an all-you-can-eat breakfast with Santa. It will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. at the New market Volunteer Fire Station. Adults eat for $9, children (5-10) eat for $5, Seniors (55+) eat for $7, and all children under five eat for free.

This is a great way to support the local firehouse while also having a good time with family.