Broad Brook Fire Department Junior Firefighters Complete Fire Academy Program

The Everyday Hero CT volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign congratulates three Junior Firefighters from the Broad Brook Fire Department – Elizabeth Arcari, Giovanni Maddox, and Ashley Novak recently spent a week at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks as cadets in the 40th class of the “Introduction To The Fire Service” (ITTFS) Program. At the end of the week, they participated in a real-time tactical scenario involving a simulated high rise fire with civilians trapped. Working together as a team with the other 25 cadets and performing every leadership- and task-level assignment (with the exception of driving the emergency vehicles), Arcari, Maddox, and Novak utilized every skill they learned over the course of the week to mitigate the incident.

Elizabeth Arcari, 17, joined the Broad Brook Fire Department two years ago. Firefighting is in her blood – her father has been a member of the Department her whole life and her mother, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin have all been involved in the fire service as well. Currently the Junior Division President, Arcari wants to follow in the footsteps of her father, Chief Thomas Arcari.

Giovanni Maddox, also 17, joined the Department a year ago because he wants to be able to help people. His grandfather was a firefighter. Maddox believes in giving back to his community and showing kids in his neighborhood they can do something productive to help others and stay out of trouble and off the streets.

Ashley Novak, 15, has been with the Department for a year. Her father is a Lieutenant with the Department as well as in New Britain where he is a career firefighter. Her uncles were also Junior members, and her grandfather was a Lieutenant. Her other grandfather was a career Captain in Milford. Novak believes volunteering with the fire department is a great experience because it helps the community and builds skills that can be applied everywhere in life.

"These young junior firefighters are the future of the volunteer fire service,” says Broad Brook Fire Department Assistant Chief Gerald Bancroft. “It is wonderful to see them embrace the meaning of volunteerism and work hard at learning the craft and skills taught to them through this week long class at the CT Fire Academy. They are no doubt an asset to us and our community.”

Now in its 20th year, the Connecticut Fire Academy’s ITTFS Program is celebrating provides high school students interested in the Fire Service with an immersive educational and training experience. Students from across the state participate in the six-day, residential program that gives them invaluable insights into the core values, character, mission, and skill sets that define the position of Firefighter.

Volunteers Needed

The Broad Brook Fire Department is currently participating in Everyday Hero CT, a program dedicated to increasing the number of volunteer firefighters throughout the state. More than 80 percent of all fire personnel in Connecticut are volunteers, and the majority of fire departments throughout the state are experiencing a volunteer shortage. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities, people willing and able to respond to emergencies whenever called upon.

“The skills and experience gained as a volunteer firefighter are invaluable and have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of others,” says Chief Fred Dudek, Everyday Hero CT program manager. “Those who join their local fire departments sign up for one of the most rewarding opportunities they’ll ever have.”

About the Broad Brook Fire Department

Established in March 1896, the Broad Brook Fire Department (BBFD) strives to provide the best fire and EMS protection possible to the more than 5,500 residents living in the Village of Broad Brook in East Windsor. Operating out of Station 39 located at 125 Main Street in Broad Brook, the Department utilizes the following apparatus: Engine Tank 139, Engine Tank 239, Engine Tank 339, Forestry 139, Service 139 & 239, UTV 139, and Marine 139. The BBFD has about 40 members as well as a Junior Division made up of teenagers ranging from 14-18 years old. The Department is always looking for new members, including those with special qualifications such as CDL licenses who may want to drive and pump fire apparatus, and medically certified personnel with current EMR or EMT certifications. Anyone interested in learning more about the BBFD should call 860-623-5940, visit http://bbfd.org/joinbbfd.php, or stop by the fire house on the third and fourth Thursday of the month after 7:00 p.m.

About Everyday Hero CT

A partnership of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Everyday Hero CT campaign is a two-year Volunteer Workforce Solutions (VWS) initiative designed to address the shortage of volunteer firefighters in Connecticut. It is helping achieve a viable and sustainable volunteer firefighter workforce for 15 Connecticut fire departments: Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Department, Cromwell Fire and EMS Department, Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. (Salem), Greenwich Fire Department, Killingworth Volunteer Fire Department, Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company, Old Mystic Fire Department, Rocky Hill Fire Department, Somers Fire Department, Stamford Volunteer Firefighters Association, Trumbull Volunteer Fire Services, Westfield Fire Department (Middletown), Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, Wolcott Fire Department. Everyday Hero CT is funded by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded to the CFCA by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a model to enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. For more information, visit www.EverydayHeroCT.org.