EAST PATCHOGUE, NY - On Saturday, August 26th, FASNY’s Youth in the Fire Service hands-on training day was held at the Hagerman Fire Department training center. FASNY Youth Days are held across the state of NY and provide Junior Firefighters, Explorers and RAMS first-hand experience of the fire service. This year's Long Island Youth Day had about 100 Junior Firefighters and Explorers from Suffolk and Nassau Counties come together for training. Despite the morning rain, training went on. 

The Youth of the Fire Service trained on hose handling, searching a building for fire and victims, forcible entry, ladder climbing and ladder safety, and auto extrication. Training was conducted by Hagerman fire department instructors and Suffolk County Fire Academy Instructors. The juniors were able to practice skills that they have learned back at their home departments, and some learned new skills all while partnering with juniors from other departments to get the job done.

The previous night, a classroom lecture was also held at the Suffolk Fire Academy where Port Jefferson FD Asst. Chief Christian Neuber presented on growth through leadership to over 75 youths from across Suffolk and Nassau.  

The following departments participated in the youth days at the SCFA and Hagerman FD: Bay Shore, Centereach, Elmont, Hagerman, Lakeland, Lindenhurst, Manorville, Mastic, Mastic Beach, North Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Selden, Setauket, Smithtown, Terryville, Wantagh, West Babylon, West Islip, and Yaphank. Representatives from FASNY, as well as Suffolk Volunteer Firefighters Association were on site for the event, which was a huge success.