4 H Participant As Firefighter Cadet (2)

The month of April 2017 was indeed a time of celebration, outreach, stewardship, and recognition. On April 22nd in Cass County, a combined task force of 10 youths and four adults, led by the CEP Youth Advisory Board, manifested the spirit of 4-H with combined activities to celebrate Earth Day; Community Service Month; and Volunteer Month. Because there were multiple events occurring within the 4-H Community Outreach Program Plan: (1) Heroes 4-Health Junior Master Gardener Program Plan and (2)Youth Leadership Lab Program Plan, the group decided the following platforms would work perfectly to achieve its goals:

  • First responders’ Appreciation: The group prepared and presented a “Great Green Salad” lunch for representatives of Atlanta’s Fire Department and Police Department, respectively. The youth ambassadors presented care packages to each first responder in attendance.
  • Designating a Community Garden: As a collaboration with the “Atlanta Library Seed Exchange Project,” the opportunity was created to break ground for a community garden at the Atlanta Fire Station to earmark Earth Day.
  • Career Awareness in Fire Fighting: Atlanta Firefighters spoke to students about career aspirations and possibilities of being a firefighter and the importance 4 H Participant As Firefighter Cadetof education to enter the Atlanta Fire Cadet program. In addition, firefighters provided a class with invaluable hands-on experience for the 4-H participants. The knowledge gained from the responders sparked interest for many of the 4-Hers, and one in particular, Allen Leach of the Classic Community 4-H Club, took full advantage of the information. He enrolled in Firefighter Cadet with the Atlanta Fire Department because of the exposure received from the program.
  • Program Interpretation: With examples of 4-H’s contribution to the community, a slideshow effectively demonstrated the power of the overall 4-H Healthy Living, Outreach, and Career Awareness program permanently recorded for everyone to view and appreciate. The results of the program provided context for local responders and a framework for future collaboration and learning. Texarkana Gazette was on hand to capture and chronicle the day’s event.

Upon concluding the activities, Lieutenant George Rowe III expressed his satisfaction of how well the program was organized as well as how the program met the fire department’s criteria for their ongoing Health Improvement program which is an annual requirement. To further solidify the program’s success, 4-H Leader Daphne Leach, Allen’s mother, stated, “The Atlanta Firefighter Cadet program allowed Allen, at the age of 12, to gain an exposure to the fire service profession. This experience may be the foundation for a future career in firefighting, fire and rescue and emergency medical services”. As a parent, I appreciate the Cadet program for developing leadership skills, job skills, responsibility and teamwork in my son”.

John Ferguson
John Ferguson
4-H and Youth Development Extension Agent, Cass County
(903) 756-5391
john.ferguson@ag.tamu.edu