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30 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

Firefighting Career Pathway Now Available to Luxemburg-Casco

High School Students

I can tell you, locally and statewide, volunteer 32, according to My Future™. It projects
fire departments are becoming shorthanded as roughly 26,4000 job openings for firefighters
far as required and needed firefighters. annually, on average, over the course of the
“It gives the students the opportunity to decade.
be servants to their communities, along with According to My Future™, a career as
exploring a potential career. They are trained a firefighter appeals to those who enjoy high
as a firefighter, which is something they can levels of responsibility, decision-making and
use in any community in the years ahead.” competition, along with a medium level of
Participating students are supported by physical activity.
the fire department with Personal Protective Zellner, a junior at L-C High School who
equipment (PPe) and uniforms. actually leaves school when a call comes in,
The Kewaunee County Junior Firefighter has learned quite a bit from the opportunity to
Program – which supports the fire depart- work regularly with professional firefighters.
ments of Algoma, Carlton, Casco, Denmark, It has confirmed his desire to pursue the field
Kewaunee, Luxemburg, New Franken and as a career himself.
Tisch Mills – was one of four grant winners “Firefighting is a lot of responsibility,”
of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and he says. “You understand that you are putting
Professional Services (DSPS). The grant of your life in danger to help other people. It’s
$24,525 will be utilized to purchase full PPE not an easy job — it requires hard work to
for use by students. do it properly. every call is different, so you
PPE is extremely expensive, accord- have to be prepared for pretty much anything.
ing to Du Chateau, often costing more than “I really enjoy the chance to be involved
Luxemburg-Casco School District functions. $3,000 for a coat and pants for a single fire- and the opportunity you get to help other
A new educational pathway — designed Mathew Zellner, who is one of the three fighter. Typically fitted, Luxemburg will be people.”
for students interested in a career as a fire- L-C students currently following the fire- purchasing generic sets of gear, knowing that Zellner hopes to continue working
fighter – is wrapping up its first year at fighter career pathway, completed the course it will be passed down and reused. within firefighting for the entirety of his
Luxemburg-Casco High School. Three L-C requirements for Firefighter 1 Certifica- Those who choose firefighting as a career, and shares that he would be a third-
students took part during the 2023-24 school tion earlier this month. He took entry Level career perform a wide variety of duties. generation firefighter in his family. Both his
year, and more are expected to join the Fighter the first three months of 2024, fol- Among these are driving fire apparatus and grandfather, David Zellner (20-plus years),
program in the fall. lowed by Hazardous Material Operations and other emergency vehicles; putting out fires and father, Brad Zellner (20-plus years and
The Kewaunee County Junior Fire- Firefighter 1. using water hoses, fire extinguishers and counting), have firefighting experience.
fighter Program – a partnership between the Zellner now is a Junior Firefighter with water pumps; finding and rescuing victims Du Chateau appreciates the contribu-
Luxemburg-Casco, Algoma, Denmark and the Luxemburg Community Fire Department. in burning buildings or in other emergency tions Zellner and fellow L-C High School
Kewaunee school districts, along with eight A volunteer position, he receives hands-on situations; treating sick or injured people; student Jett Granese-Bries have made to the
area fire departments – began with an explor- opportunities to learn the skills used in fire- conducting drills to be prepared for any type Luxemburg Community Fire Department,
atory session for students in April 2023. fighting, actively participates in department of emergency incident; preparing written and he hopes to get more students involved in
“We see this program as a great way trainings and meetings, and when the tone reports on emergency incidents; cleaning and the Junior Firefighter Program in the future.
for students to explore a potential career in goes off Zellner responds to calls. maintaining equipment; and physical-fitness
firefighting while gaining post-secondary “It has been a lot of learning for me,” training.
credits and real-world experience,” says Mike says Zellner. “I get to respond to calls in Employment of firefighters is projected www.luxcasco.k12.wi.us
Snowberry, director of learning services for full gear, and can help out on the scene. But, to grow at a rate of 4 percent from 2022-
the Luxemburg-Casco School District. “We being under 18 (years old), I am restricted in
have received tremendous support from area what I can do.”
fire departments, who are all-in to work with Junior Firefighters are expected to
our students.” respond to emergency calls and operate under
Three Luxemburg-Casco students this the supervision of Senior Firefighters. Strict
year began coursework towards Firefighter 1 laws exist to protect minors from the most
certification through NWTC during the first- hazardous dangers; for example, Junior Fire-
hour block of their day. Taught by college fighters will never enter a burning building or
instructors, students earn both high school operate on top of a roof. The work performed
and college credits while learning the basics by Junior Firefighters frees up qualified
of firefighting. Senior Firefighters to execute other crucial
The three courses required to receive tasks.
the certification are: Entry Level Firefighter, Junior Firefighters must be at least 16
which focuses on providing the information years old, but not older than 19 years old.
needed to comply with fire-training require- They must be able to follow directions under
ments in Wisconsin; Firefighter 1, which stressful conditions and should be in good
completes all Level 1 firefighter objectives physical condition to perform essential fire
as identified by the National Fire Protection ground tasks.
Association (NFPA); and Hazardous Mate- “The Junior Firefighter Program is
rial Operations, which prepares students to working very well,” says Lew Du Chateau,
perform minimum hazardous material inci- Luxemburg Fire Chief since 2001. “The stu-
dent operations associated with firefighting dents are helping out where we need them.
It’s been a win-win for the students and for us.