It was a devastating car accident, the mess of the collision and the public safety officers respondence that triggered senior Riley Johnson’s realization of his dream and pursuit towards his future career.
Because of his automobile accident, Johnson understood the effort safety officers and, more specifically, fire fighters exert into ensuring the safety of all citizens.
Observing their gallant activity in repairing his collision, caused Johnson to realize that it was his goal to become just like the officers. He would do whatever it took to be among the fire fighters.
Johnson didn’t hesitate to contact the Boone County Fire Protection District, submit an application, interview for a position and take a series of drug and physical exams. He was determined to introduce himself to the world of fire fighting, and Johnson planned to begin by volunteering for the Boone County Fire Department. Though Johnson is currently in the recruit class, graduating in late May 2014, he still experiences many of the events that fire fighters endure.
“We train every Tuesday and Thursday evening and every other weekend, for both Saturday and Sunday,” Johnson said, “and we do everything from fighting fire to emergency medical training.”
In order to prepare for the extensive training at the fire department, Johnson enrolled beforehand in several Columbia Area Career Center courses that specialized in the task of fire fighting and public safety.
“I took the Core Essentials of Fire Fighting and Public Safety class at the Career Center. That class is a prerequisite for the class I am taking this year, which is the Emergency Medical Technician class,” Johnson said. “These classes were a great introduction to what it’s like to actually work for a fire department. It also really helped to have a great instructor who has actually been a fire fighter and an EMT.”
RBHS students aren’t the only ones taking advantage of this career-seeking experience. Hickman High School senior, Hunter Verhoven, who volunteers with Johnson at the Boone County Fire Department, explains that he also discovered the volunteer opportunity through his Intro to Fire Fighting Essentials course at the CACC.
Like Johnson, Verhoven volunteers several times a week and enjoys the training exercises dealing with live burns and vehicle excitation due to the perspective into real-life fire fighting that these activities provide.
“I wanted to be a part of this program because I thought I would have a good time learning more about what I will experience in my future as a fire fighter,” Verhoven said. “Also, working directly with the fire department has taught me a lot of skills that I will definitely need in my future as a fire fighter.”
In addition to looking toward the future, Scott Olsen, the Fire Chief at the Boone County Fire Department, said volunteers will obtain beneficial skills for the present as well. Olsen said the Boone County Fire Protection District is a unique and dynamic organization with a long history of commitment to the community. The passion for excellence and enthusiasm that Olsen believes the station provides will foster ambition and drive in young volunteers.
“First, and most important, as a volunteer, you will know that you are providing a very important service to your community, one that very few people do,” Olsen said. “There is no more noble of callings than to be in a position to give someone a second chance at life or return a family to their home when they thought all would be lost. Additionally, you will be provided with a great deal of exceptional training. The emergency medical training, fire training and rescue training, not to mention the speciality team training that is available to you, will serve you well for many years.”
From the experiences gained, both in his CACC classes and training with the fire department, Verhoven believes he obtained a grasp upon the skills it takes to become a fire fighter.
“From all this, I think I’ve learned that being a fire fighter is really a lot harder than it looks and what people make it out to be,” Verhoven said. “Besides the difficulties, from everything I’ve learned in my recruit class and volunteering, I can definitely see myself as a fire fighter one day.”
Olsen said the learning experience the volunteers gain is because of the enriching environment present at the Boone County Fire Department. Both the individuals at the fire department and the life-saving activities they perform collaborate to provide the ideal setting for volunteers to observe.
“The Boone County Fire Protection District is much more than your stereotypical fire department,” Olsen said. “Mediocrity has no place in our organization, our mission is simply too important. We are fortunate that we have been able to recruit the caliber of men and women that presently comprise the Boone County Fire Protection District. These are exceptional people with exceptional capabilities, and we are so very proud of each and every one of them.”
Having the unique opportunity to work with educated and trained individuals at the fire department has allowed Johnson to make the most of his fire fighting experiences.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve on a district that prides itself on customer service and being a helping hand for all the members of Boone County. I wanted to volunteer because I love to help people. I would love to give back to the community of Boone County, and also, I just really love to fight fire,” Johnson said. “The training I’m receiving at the County Department is teaching me to manage my time, work as a team and it teaches me to have the responsibility it takes to save a life.”
By Manal Salim
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