Imagine sitting in class, walking in the hallways or attending a school event and suddenly someone nearby is having a medical emergency; in those moments, every second counts. While most people in these situations may feel unsure of what to do, student first responders are trained to act. These students prove to our community that age doesn’t define responsibility and even young people can make life-saving differences.

Student first responders are high school volunteers who stand side-by-side with professionals and assist during calls like brush fires and medical emergencies. They also receive training in skills like CPR, first aid and basic life support.

“It’s pretty cool because I get to see them in another aspect of their life,” Michelle Golder, a special education teacher and firefighter serving at the Flagtown station in Hillsborough, said. “I see them in the classroom setting, but it’s neat to see them in the community and see that other side of them.”

There are two firefighter programs; the first one is the junior program and the second is the Firefighter 1 certification. The junior program uses hands-on training to teach students the basics of being firefighters who cannot apply for a Firefighter 1 certification. Firefighter 1 certification requires a person to be 18 years old — or 17 if they’re in the polytech program — and they go in an academy to learn how to safely and efficiently deal with fires.

Aldo Tammaro, Holland Fire’s Assistant Chief and head of the junior program, explains that 14 and 15 year-olds carry out the normal responsibilities of firefighters without climbing on ladders. However, 16 and 17 year-olds are allowed to climb ladders, go up on roofs, etc.

“[Being a] junior firefighter will allow you to come and train side by side with our members,” Tammaro said. “…their role is really an exterior firefighter.”

Altogether, Del Val currently has eight students a part of the junior program: eight volunteer firefighters and one in an EMT training. The eight students receiving firefighter training are Benjamin Crouse (’27), Aiden Carr (’27), Owen Francis (’27), Aiden Bush (’28), and Mason Patkochis (’29). The one student in EMT training is Carr.

Students become volunteers for a variety of reasons: friends, influential personal experiences, because they’ve always been interested in it since they were a kid, etc. However, Crouse’s story is special.

“What made me want to be a volunteer first responder was my father,” Crouse said. “I’ve seen him go to fire calls, and I’ve been near the fire calls and I just thought it was really neat to be able to help people out and just help out the community.”

For students who are interested or have questions about the program(s), reach out to Aldo Tammaro at hollandtownshipfire@gmail.com or Michelle Golder at michellegolder@dvrhs.k12.nj.us.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Golder said. “It’s a big commitment, but you meet some incredible friends — some that become family.”