VIDEOS: The Hudson Volunteer Fire Department is recruiting the next generation of firefighters. The Hudson Volunteer Fire Department is recruiting 14-to 17-year-olds for a program that teaches firefighting, emergency medical services and rescue. โVolunteerism has declined over the years,โ said Chief Burns. โEvery department in this county needs volunteers. And this is just one way for us to bring in the youth, train them, and make them a member for the future.โ
The departmentโs explorer program was created around 15 years ago by members of the department to bring youth into the department and train them to be volunteer firefighters. โThe program itself is built around our standard operating procedures and the way our department functions. So the program is being broken into modules,โ Burns said.
Each module lasts about four to five months and cover everything from fire prevention to vehicle rescues. Depending on attendance, test scores, and make-up training, the process to move from explorer to firefighter generally takes about three to four years.
Teens will also learn about each piece of equipment and help at scenes the department responds to.
