Throughout high school, I have been volunteering at Cedar Mountain Fire Rescue as a junior firefighter. The station was next to my house and I wanted to see what it was about. Once I visited, I was hooked. As a fourteen-year old junior, I could not take classes or participate in all of the firefighting tasks, and had more restrictions than a regular firefighter. Because of this, my first year of involvement with the department was not very active. I only attended trainings on Thursdays and occasionally helped with extra fire department lead events. I didn’t let these limitations hamper my enthusiasm, through. During the trainings I was able to be a part of, I took the opportunity to learned by observing the more experienced firefighters, really…show more content… I became more driven to spend time at the station and learn about the department itself. I also used the facilities more for personal training and as a home away from home. Then in the summer after my sophomore year, I spent almost every day, all day, with the one paid employee at the fire department. No one told me to do this, I simply realized the value of this resource. I could do something I loved and it didn’t require waiting for someone to drive me or do for me. This fire station was walking distance away. I was in control. I made a decision that I wanted to be educated and assist in any way I could. It was that summer that I realized how important it is to serve the community, be a spokesperson, and be an emergency responder. Last year in total, I dedicated over five-hundred volunteer hours to the fire department. Each of those hours was spent better improving myself as a person and a firefighter. Since then, I have utilized my skills and knowledge to better help the department aid and help the community in times of emergency, and enhance relationships with the public. Over the last three years that I have spent volunteering with the department, I have realized how important volunteer fire departments are, even if they are small, like the Cedar Mountain Fire Department. It has also affirmed how important it is to help the community, associate positively with
