Arcadia VFC Junior Firefighters Receive National Honor

The National Volunteer Fire Council has named the junior firefighter program at Arcadia Volunteer Fire Company in Upperco the best in the country, Baltimore County officials announced Tuesday.

The honor is the county's first from the national organization. The award is given to a department that demonstrates "significant community impact, innovation, and creativity," a county press release states.

“This award makes all of us in the Baltimore County fire service community optimistic about the future of volunteer firefighting and EMS,” Baltimore County Fire Chief John J. Hohman said in a press release. “The contributions of these young people show that the volunteer fire service is not a thing of the past but will continue to play a central role in protecting our citizens.”

The junior firefighters will receive the award in a May 10 ceremony in Arlington, VA.

The junior company at the northwestern Baltimore County fire station was founded in 2004 and has graduated more than 50 firefighters, most of whom go on to become firefighters in other departments, according to the release.

The junior firefighters are trained in programs including CPR, blood-borne pathogens, first aid and aerial operations, according to the release.