BUILDING FUTURE HEROES

Jarrell Fire & Rescue Junior Fire Cadet Camp

by Ann Marie Kennon • photos courtesy Morgan Coop/WilliamsonCounty ESD #5

The Second Annual Jarrell Fire & Rescue Junior Fire Cadet Camp is coming up Monday, June 24 to Friday, June 28, and the buzz — built on the success of last year’s inaugural event — is already growing. The camp, a summer opportunity for learning and leadership, will be hosted at Living Word Church by Williamson County ESD #5 – Jarrell Fire & Rescue.

Morgan Coop, the ESD Station administrator, shared information and insights with My Jarrell about the camp’s budding legacy. “After last year’s families expressed gratitude for the program, particularly during the graduation ceremony, there was no question we would host the academy again,” Morgan explains. It was an exciting experience for the attendees, as evidenced by the many messages from families eager to return or participate.

This year, the camp will welcome back returning cadets and has opened remaining registrations to the public, accommodating 30 children ages 9 to 12. “Our aim is not just to host a camp but to foster long-term relationships with these young people. Ideally, we want them to grow into junior leaders and eventually, lead younger cadets themselves,” Morgan says. She adds that if the station can secure enough community interest and support, they may be able to engage enough personnel to accommodate 40 cadets.

The Mission

The camp’s core mission is to use firefighters’ skills and values to help mold youngsters into responsible and accountable leaders. Through a mix of daily pledges, teamwork exercises, and physical activities, the cadets learn the importance of dedication and setting examples. “The skills and rules we share are not only applicable in firefighting but are also integral to everyday life,” Morgan notes.

A typical day at the camp kicks off with the pledge and warm-up exercises followed by small group training to allow cadets to bond with each other and get to know their instructors one on one. The hands-on activities include CPR training, first aid, and rescue rope tying. As well, the scope of their learning will expand through collaborative demonstrations with the local police department, K-9 units, and EMS. These practical insights also serve to demonstrate and foster the spirit of community cooperation among Jarrell’s first responders.

The program also provides training in special techniques that enable young people to administer first response care. These include maneuvers that help cadets leverage their strength to position grownups, ensuring they can maintain life-saving measures until the professionals arrive. This aspect of the training proved fruitful when one cadet, soon after the camp, was prepared and able to manage first aid for her sister’s laceration.

Lasting Impact

The relationship between the cadets and the camp does not end with the summer; it continues throughout the year. “We maintain contact with the cadets, supporting them and their families. This ongoing support fosters a strong community bond,” Morgan says. This mutual support was evident when the community came together to mourn a firefighter who passed away, with the cadets and their families providing comfort to the bereaved.

She adds, “Beyond the physical activities, the camp also serves to influence the cadets’ personal growth. Last year, one cadet had some trouble being harassed by schoolmates, so the firefighters visited her at school and had lunch to demonstrate solidarity. Those special moments help underscore the camp’s impact and continuing influence in the cadets’ lives.”

Looking forward, Morgan says the chief hopes to expand the program to include more camps and transportation to allow them to take field trips to dispatch and other centers. “Our biggest challenge is managing growth and securing resources to expand our offerings. As a non-essential function, we do not use taxpayer dollars for the academy,” Morgan says. The camp is funded through community donations and partnerships, like with Living Word Church, which provides breakfast and lunch for all cadets so parents can be assured their kids’ summer days are fully managed.

Applications are available now for the public and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Morgan says there will be a waiting list in case spaces open up.

Morgan is looking forward to watching the inevitable transformation she sees in the cadets. “By the fourth day, it’s incredible to see how much confidence they’ve gained, going from quiet and shy to the top of the ladder truck.”

Contact Morgan at admin@wilcoesd5.org for information about next year’s camp or a visit to the station. The fire station is always open to appointments with families wishing to explore and engage with the brave men and women who serve Jarrell.

Junior Fire Cadet Pledge

I promise the members of Jarrell Fire & Rescue and the members of the Junior Fire Cadet Program:

•  To be dedicated in setting a good example by my own actions

•  To have integrity

•  To selflessly serve others

•  To be honorable

•  To strive for excellence

•  To be respectful and compassionate to others

•  To support the rules of the junior fire cadet program

•  To maintain a good attitude and work with others

•  To learn about fire safety and share my knowledge with others

•  To treat my neighbors as I would like to be treated

•  To display the true spirit of a junior fire cadet