Superior senior leads Junior Firefighting Program

While others flee, firefighters run toward the danger. Being a first responder requires courage and selflessness, but when you also add in labels like “junior” and “volunteer” it takes this brave act of service to a whole other level. 

In rural communities around the country and locally along Interstate 90 in Mineral County, volunteer fire departments are first on the scene when someone is having their worst day. The National Volunteer Fire Council stated in 2022, that volunteers comprise 65% of firefighters in the U.S. Of the total estimated 1,041,200 firefighters across the country, 676,900 are volunteer based. 

We depend on them to be the first line of defense for many types of emergencies. Volunteer firefighters are called to various crises every day including fires, emergency medical incidents, vehicle accidents, active shooter events, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, water rescue emergencies, and many other general public service calls. These volunteers spend enormous amounts of time training to prepare for these emergencies.

American author Elizabeth Andrew emphasized the value of these citizens who valiantly sacrifice, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

In the Superior Volunteer Fire Department, they have plenty of heart, and one way they foster the departments future success is through their Junior Firefighting Program. One of its former junior members and the current fire chief's son, Anthony Dodd is now the director of the new Junior Firefighter Program. 

Dodd, a senior at Superior High School said, “My interest in firefighting came from when I worked for the Forest Service in the Youth Conservation Corps, I got to work with Fire crews in the Superior district and was interested in learning more. My Father has been the Chief at Superior for three years, and I thought to ask him if I could join the department. Immediately I loved it.”

There is a short probationary period for juniors to complete before they are allowed to be a volunteer, this includes first aid and CPR training and scene safety. 

Dodd said, “We will absolutely allow juniors to join any time of the year, as long as they finish their probationary period.”

For him giving back is what matters most, he exclaimed, “My favorite part about being a Volunteer is serving the community.” 

They are always looking for new committed volunteers for the department. 

Dodd continued, “The importance is that they understand the other benefits, not just a paycheck. These opportunities encourage a feeling of accomplishment.”

So how does a junior volunteer manage responding to the call of sirens while also not missing the tardy bell? 

Dodd noted, “I don't believe it is hard to balance the two. There have been a few times I was permitted to leave for a call, but I am only allowed to if I keep up with my schoolwork.”

After he recently turned 18, Cami Quick from Superior is the only other Junior in the program. 

Dodd said, “Many of our calls are related to highway incidents or smoke reports. It's not often we get a fire call, but I have personally gone to at least 10 this year.”

“The most intense moment for me was watching a car blazing on fire or when we had a huge structure fully involved with flames,” shared Dodd. “Those sights are some of the most astonishing moments of being a junior.”

Dodd’s really looks up to Josh Pecora, their deputy chief. 

He remarked, “He has taught me many things in and out of the fire department. As for advice he’d pass onto new volunteers Dodd recommended, “Learn as much as possible from the people who have been a firefighter for a long time.”

Creating the Junior Firefighter Program Dodd explained, “The program I worked on was done individually, but I found materials to work on from the Two Forks Fire Department and the National Volunteer Fire Council.”

It’s important to note that the majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer. The NVFC reported “Of the total 29,452 fire departments in the country, 18,873 are all volunteer; 5,335 are mostly volunteer; 2,459 are mostly career; and 2,785 are all career.”

The time donated by volunteer firefighters and the sacrifices they make saves localities across the country an estimated $46.9 billion per year. The cost savings provided by fire service volunteers is tremendous and unequivocal. And for many communities just like Superior, switching to a career staffing model is not feasible.

For Dodd, after graduating from Superior High School he aims to continue his firefighting career. He detailed, “I plan on joining a three-year residency program at Frenchtown Rural Fire Department. There I will be put through fire academy, EMT licensing, and degree in Fire Science. During my residency, I will receive all of these with no cost, as well as housing and transportation, as long as I volunteer at their station for three years.”

To get more information on the Junior Firefighter Program through the Superior Volunteer Fire Department, reach out to Anthony Dodd.