Hardin County recruits Junior Firefighters

HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — As school lets out for summer break, Hardin County officials are hoping teens will join them as they fight fires.

Hollie Broughton’s son is only 16 but is already gearing up to fight the flames.

“They teach them so many things. If they’re looking toward the future as a firefighter, there’s already one being trained right now,” Broughton said.

Broughton’s son, Geoffrey, has been a part of Hardin County’s Junior Firefighter program for about a year now. Teens ages 15 to 18 get hands-on training and also get to assist first responders in the field for both drills and real emergencies.

“From start to finish, I’ve seen self-confidence, all kinds of things. I think he’s going to be a better person,” Broughton said.

“We look for someone who we think would make good leaders, work well with each other, and make a good team. Because that’s what this is. It’s a team,” said Jessica Beckham, who recruits the teens.

Beckham said there could also be some bragging rights. “How cool would it be to be 15 years old and go back to school and say, ‘Hey, what’d you do for the summer.’ And you can look at them and say, ‘I was a firefighter.'”

Broughton said it’s been a positive experience for her son.

“They get to hang around people and really care about their community, and that’s also a positive experience,” Broughton said.

Hardin County is always taking recruits to be a part of this program. If you’d like more information, visit their website at www.hardincountyfire.com.