Gamber & Community Fire Co. hosted a spring junior firefighter training day on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The event ran from 9:00 am through 1:00 pm. at the Gamber station. Gamber Junior Fire Co. chair and advisor, Chrissy Yingling, coordinated the event with assistance from Chief 13 Chad Hastings, the company's line officers, and members. Chrissy is also the CCVESA chairman of the county juniors committee.

Approximately 60 juniors, ages 10-16, from eight Carroll County fire companies attended. Junior counselors, line officers, senior members, parents, and relatives of the junior firefighters also were present and assisted. More than 40 adults were in attendance.

Junior firefighters participated in different activity/scenario stations while learning new skills during morning sessions. The Maryland State Police helicopter, scheduled for another activity station, was unable to attend due to poor weather conditions. Because of that, a fourth session was dropped, and the three remaining sessions were condensed.

Additionally, Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department’s Rescue Squad 12 was on display. Junior members had the opportunity to examine all the rescue tools and apparatus it carries.

Stations and activities included the following:

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office Bomb Squad conducted a demonstration and training session. Deputy State Fire Marshals Bill Potts and Peter Raia conducted this station. They did an excellent job showing the juniors the different skills and technologies that are necessary when dealing with explosives. Several of the juniors had the opportunity to try on a bomb suit. It showed how difficult it is to get on and then to move in the gear. They also had a chance to control the bomb robot- very impressive!

The Gamber dive/water rescue team did a presentation and displayed the dive unit, boats, and diving apparatus. Gamber EMS Lieutenant and dive team member Jack Bez coordinated this station.

J J Lynott (Hampstead) and Bridget Weishaar (Gamber, Westminster & 911 Center) conducted a training session on the use of radios. This activity took place in the classroom and hallway. Actual use of the radios was done with selected juniors transmitting messages and directions to other juniors between the two locations. Juniors in the classroom had to follow oral directions on skill sheets.

Morning coffee, drinks, and snacks were provided. Lunch for all participants included Chick-fil-A sandwiches and Papa John's pizzas, cookies, and drinks. Christina Christensen (Mt. Airy) helped with lunch and food clean up. You cannot have a successful fire department event without food.

This event resulted in a very successful day for all involved, especially for the junior members who are the next generation of firefighters and EMS personnel in our county.

Thank you to all of the county advisors. As a county we are truly blessed to have such dedicated, hardworking, and supportive people who genuinely believe in what they do and are willing to share their knowledge with the young people of our county. I look forward to continuing to work with so many of you in the future. Chrissy (Green) Yingling, Junior County Advisor Chairman.