There are young people who have always said that they wanted to be a firefighter or an EMT when they grow up. One thing that most people don’t know is that kids can get hands-on experience as young as 16 years old.
Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad and Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad both offer a Junior EMS Program as well as a Fire Cadet Program. These programs are for high school students aged 16-18, who have an interest in EMS and fire services. 
Anyone aged 16-18 who wants to join can start by filling out an application and pass an OEMS/FBI background check. After that, there are two meetings to attend to get voted in: a board meeting and a company meeting. Once accepted by the board and the company, you are officially a Junior EMS and/or a Fire Cadet.
A Junior EMS or a Fire Cadet has to attend meetings, training events, and respond to EMS or fire calls.
Chase Phillips, a senior at York High School is a Fire Cadet with Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Phi...