A pager beep alerts three Metchosin teens to every emergency in the district. They awaken in the night to dispatch calls for car crashes, house fires and cardiac arrests.

When a few of Grayson KerrB次元官网网址檚 friends became junior firefighterB次元官网网址檚 with Langford Fire Rescue, he thought it would be a great opportunity. He approached the Langford department and learned he had to apply with the department in his community of Metchosin.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an awesome program. ItB次元官网网址檚 a way to get people in the department when some halls are struggling to get members,B次元官网网址� Kerr said.

Metchosin fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop said most junior firefighters stay with the department after they become 19.

These junior firefighters canB次元官网网址檛 respond directly to calls, but they can rush to the hall and help firefighters gather equipment and clean the trucks afterwards.

B次元官网网址淚 like to listen to all the calls and show up and help too,B次元官网网址� said Dallin Madill,17.

B次元官网网址淭hey do training like the rest of us,B次元官网网址� said Dunlop. B次元官网网址淲e treat them just as a regular member. We give them a pager and want them to feel valued and important so they take it seriously.B次元官网网址�

When the teens are out in the field or during training they wear blue helmets to differentiate between the adult volunteers.

The junior firefighters also play a key role in public education and fundraising.

During the three years spent as junior firefighters the teens study and take courses through the Justice Institute of B.C. When they turn 19 they only need to take a couple more courses and then the become certified firefighters through the National Fire Protection Association.

B次元官网网址淚t broadens their horizons with their future life goals,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said. B次元官网网址淭hey learn to understand other people and to see that there is more to life than school, cars and girls.B次元官网网址�

Sam Harle,17, and Madill are second generation firefighters. MadillB次元官网网址檚 father Mike just retired after volunteering for 13 years and HarleB次元官网网址檚 father Neil is a five-year veteran.

B次元官网网址淚 remember hearing my dadB次元官网网址檚 pager go off in the middle in the night and he would go off on calls to help people,B次元官网网址� said Madill, who plans to pursue a career in firefighting.

Metchosin has 37 firefighters including the three juniors. Four junior firefighters are on board at Langford fire department and most move on to become full members when they are 19. They have 52 volunteer firefighters and eight career members.

The junior program in Langford is only open to teens 16 and 17 years old.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 get enough time to train 18-year-olds before they turn 19 to become full members,B次元官网网址� said assistant chief Scott Davidson of Langford Fire Rescue. B次元官网网址淲e have better success when theyB次元官网网址檝e been junior members for three years.B次元官网网址�

To join either Langford or MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 junior firefighter program all applicants must be at least 16 and live within the municipality.