The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, in partnership with Ossining’s My Brothers Keeper, recently hosted more than 30 youths at the fire training center in Valhalla to expose them to potential careers in emergency services.
The Future First Responders program was created to provide youth from underrepresented communities with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with diverse first responders and explore career paths in emergency services. This pilot initiative was developed in partnership with the Ossining School District’s My Brother’s Keeper program, which offers students in grades 5 through 12 an immersive introduction to career opportunities, including in emergency services.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Through the Future First Responders program, we’re not only opening doors to exciting and rewarding career opportunities – we’re also showing our young people that they belong in these spaces. By connecting youth from underrepresented communities with diverse and inspiring first responders, we’re helping them see themselves in these critical roles that protect and serve our neighbors every day. This is about building a stronger, more inclusive future for Westchester’s emergency services, one recruit at a time.”
The Ossining youths were made Recruits for a Day at DES and participated in some hands-on activities and demonstrations with Fire, Special Operations, EMS and Emergency Communications professionals. They learned how to put out a fire with a fire extinguisher, make some of the rope knots used in rescues by the DES Technical Rescue Team and pack wounds and apply tourniquets to Stop the Bleed and save lives. They also received a tour of DES Communications vehicles used in the field and an overview of the work done by Communications professionals in the 60 Control dispatch center.
In addition to members of the DES staff, the youths also met Mount Vernon Fire Department Chief of Operations Kim Odindo who encouraged them to consider careers in the fire service or other professions as first responders.
DES Commissioner Susan Spear said: “By developing this program, the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services hopes to inspire the next generation of first responders. This pilot program shows the power of immersive, hands-on learning, especially for students from underrepresented communities. We look forward to expanding these opportunities so more young people can see themselves serving in Fire, EMS, Emergency Management and Communications.”
