All week, a group of 15 cadets ages 12-18 have been part of the program meant to build character and perhaps spark the careers for future firefighters.
NEWINGTON, Conn. — The West Hartford Fire Department has brought back a popular idea from last summer: a firefighting camp for teen cadets.
All week, a group of 15 cadets ages 12-18 have been part of the program meant to build character and perhaps spark the careers for future firefighters.
Andrew Eccles, a West Hartford Firefighter who serves the department as the community support officer, began the program in 2023, and this summer there is a full roster of kids taking on the challenge of the camp.
Eccles said, “we are trying to introduce them [the campers] earlier in life to the firefighting service.”
He added, “not many people have this opportunity and background growing up.”
With fake smoke streaming through Newington’s fire training building, 13-year-old camper Frances Eiker emerged from …