Firefighting program for youth offered

The Belgium and Cedar Grove fire departments have teamed up to train junior firefighters.

The program is open to people 14 to 17 years old who live in the Belgium or Cedar Grove fire protection area.

Juniors may join either department, depending on where they live, and will train with that department according to its schedule.

Training will be led by North Shore Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Race with assistance from the Belgium and Cedar Grove departments.

Students will learn how to operate breathing apparatuses, deploy hoses, extricate people from vehicles and other skills.

Additional training will be held the first Saturday of each month starting June 5.

An informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School study hall room.

People are asked to register by April 2. To register or for more information, contact Belgium Assistant Fire Chief Pat Wester at (920) 980-2522 or pgwester72@gmail.com, or Cedar Grove Assistant Fire Chief Ben Lukens at (920) 698-0478 or blukens@cgbrockets.com.