The Biddeford Fire Department, which is accustomed to answering calls for service, recently put out a call of their own: For more high school students to join their Junior Firefighter program. This is definitely an opportunity that more youth should explore and certainly a unique after-school activity.

Firefighting is one of those careers that is more than just a job ”“ it’s a lifestyle. Dedicated fire personnel are tied to their scanners, always listening for the next cry for help, willing to sacrifice their comfort and often their well-being to help out a neighbor.

At first glance, it can sound like all fun and excitement to a child: Climbing ladders, pouring water on burning buildings, punching out windows to access a room. But adults know that firefighting can be perilous work ”“ and sometimes, conversely, even tedious as personnel wait for calls to come in.

There is no better way for youth to experience the reality of the job than to shadow firefighters and help them on the scenes to which they respond.

Though firefighting is a dangerous job, junior members are sufficiently protected, not allowed into burning buildings, as they do not have the proper training. However, their help “on the ground” ”“ unrolling hoses, keeping track of personnel, supplying air tanks, and even handing out a drink of water or hot cocoa to a tired firefighter ”“ is immeasurable to the personnel.

Even if they do not choose to dedicate their lives to firefighting, they will still have a deeper understanding of the dedication required for public service careers, and understanding always serves one well.

Watching how professional firefighters handle themselves on a scene will give youth one of the best examples of how to behave on the job, especially in the worst of situations ”“ to be compassionate, professional and helpful. Self discipline and working as a team are core aspects of the job, according to program director Lt. Jim Howard.

If they do decide to go on in the firefighting service, these youth will have a leg up on any others who join later in life. There is undoubtedly a certain atmosphere, a code of conduct, in each fire department and it would serve any student well to witness that first hand and learn how to work within it.

Indeed, these types of job shadowing opportunities should be expanded out from the fire service so that high school students might have an extended opportunity ”“ not just a day ”“ to see how city officials, politicians, public works professionals and others do their jobs. As a newspaper, we have long offered job shadowing and internship opportunities for youth. Such programs can help them find a career path by meeting people and seeing what it’s like on the inside, apart from any preconceptions about a particular job.

While we generally think of high school students as children, they are closer to adults than we realize and mature very quickly in those four years. Many students wait until college to decide what to do with their life ”“ and therefore what courses to pay for ”“ which often leads to wasted time and money. High school is a formative time, a time for learning about one’s self and the opportunities that await, making the fire department program ideal.

Any youth with even a passing interest in the fire service should consider taking the Biddeford Fire Department up on its unique offer ”“ they just might find a career and even if they don’t they’ll have gained valuable life experience in the process.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 or kristenm@journaltribune.com or nickc@journaltribune.com.