Start the new school year as a junior firefighter at your local North Penn area fire company

Students hoping to find a new passion this school year just might draw some inspiration from Audrey Kerney. 

At just 14 years old, Kerney gained the skills and knowledge of fire safety at Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department as a junior firefighter. 

The Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association is happy to spotlight Kerney’s journey in hopes of getting teenagers to consider joining their local fire companies as junior firefighters this school year by visiting www.montcofirefighters.org

“Joining the fire service as a 14-year-old girl in eighth grade was hands down one of the most nerve-racking experiences of my life,” said Kerney. “But I never once felt left out, discouraged, or belittled for being a young woman in a male dominated field.”

For four years she served in various roles such as junior firefighter, junior captain and the high school intern through North Montgomery County Technical Career Center's Program for Youth Advancement through Applied Practice (PYA2P). Today, Kerney is an active firefighter.

“North Montgomery County Technical High School is one program of several in the county paving the way for young adults to get hands-on experience at a young age,” said President of Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association George Wilmot III. “Volunteering with a local fire company may lead them to a potential career in emergency services down the line. It also standout out on college applications.”

The technical school’s PYA2P program is a School-To-Career education initiative that allows honor students in Grades 11 and 12 to gain real-life, on-the-job experience. Half of their day is spent learning outside of the classroom in an industry setting of their choice. Kerney chose firefighting.

“I was looking for an extracurricular activity while still in school, and decided to try it out and see where it would take me in life,” said Kerney.

    Audrey Kerney, second from right, a junior firefighter with Upper Gwynedd Fire Department at her graduating ceremony. At right is Upper Gwynedd Fire Chief Eric Geiger.
 Jessica Lis   

As a junior firefighter, high school students can learn soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, but also hands-on skills like forcible entry and search and rescue. On top of gaining skills that can save lives, they learn the importance of giving back to the community.

“Nothing beats the rewarding feeling of helping the people in my community feel safe and cared for,” said Kerney. “We all come together to accomplish one mission, and that's to keep our neighbors safe.”

Since it is a volunteer position, there is no time requirement. Volunteers are only asked to give as much time as they can and respond to calls when they are able to. Many teenagers study while at the fire company.

“We all have such different and unpredictable lives, but we need to have as many people as we can to step up to help their communities in times of need,” said Kerney.

Some of the most successful adults spent their teenage years as junior firefighters.

“Often, teenagers will join the fire company with their friends just because they want to try something new and exciting.” said Wilmot III. “Your local fire company will provide training and gear you need to safely answer the call at no cost to you.”

Know a teenager or adult who might want to be Montgomery County’s next volunteer firefighter? Connect with your closest fire company by visiting www.montcofirefighters.org.

Here are ways to get in touch with your local fire company to help change and save lives:

Chalfont Fire Co.: https://chalfontfirecompany.com/how-to-join/

Colmar Fire Co.: https://colmarfire.com/join/

Fairmount Fire Co. (Lansdale): https://fairmountfireco.com/become-a-member/

Fire Department of Montgomery Township: https://www.fdmt.org/join/

Harleysville Community Fire Co.: https://harleysvillefire.org/membership/

Hatfield Vol. Fire Co.: https://www.hatfieldfire.com/content/recruitment/

Hilltown Township Vol. Fire. Co.: https://www.hilltownfirerescue.org/volunteer

North Penn Volunteer Fire Co. (North Wales): https://www.northpennfire.com/membership-types

Perkasie Fire Co.: https://www.perkasiefire.org/volunteerhere

Perseverance Vol. FIre Co./Souderton Fire Co.: https://soudertonfireco.weebly.com/

Sellersville Fire Department: https://www.sellersvillefd.com/content/recruitment/

Silverdale Vol. Fire Co.: http://www.silverdalefd.org/join-us/

Telford Vol. Fire Co: https://www.telfordfireco.com/21%20Application.htm

Towamencin Volunteer Fire Co.: https://towamencinfire.com/

Tylersport Vol. Fire Co.: http://www.tylersportfireco.com/

Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department: https://ugfd.org/join/

Worcester Vol. Fire Department: https://www.worcesterfd.com/join-our-team