‘We’ve got to start young’: Nebraska department trains teens interested in firefighting

VALPARAISO, Neb. (KLKN) — A rural Nebraska fire department is training the next generation of first responders amid a nationwide firefighter shortage.

Valparaiso Fire & Rescue is teaching lifesaving techniques to people as young as 14 through a cadet program.

The program allows anyone who wants to become a firefighter — or anyone who is simply curious about the profession — to get hands-on experience in training sessions.

The session on Monday was focused on rescuing someone trapped in a vehicle.

Trainees learned how to break a car window, use the Jaws of Life and safely get a patient out.

Hailee Nelson is a firefighter in Valparaiso.

She went through the program herself as a 16-year-old and said it’s incredibly beneficial to the department.

“This is a family, and as the younger kids come up, you can really tell their excitement and how much they want to do for our community,” Nelson said.

The department is picking up the pace on the program at a time when firefighters are desperately needed.

“Volunteer firefighters are hard to come by, so we’ve got to start young with them and keep them until they’re old,” Lt. Bobby Draper said. “This is tremendous because as soon as they turn 18, they can fully join the fire department, and they hit the ground running. It’s a lot less training hours.”

The team hopes this will be a lifeline not only for the community, but for the department.

Draper said if the program progresses, the department will have new firefighters ready to go when it’s time for others to retire.

If you are interested in the cadet program, you can message the fire department on their Facebook account or call them at 402-784-3090.