NVFC and Baskin Robbins Honors America's Favorite Junior Firefighters

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Junior Firefighter and Explorer programs across the United States are attracting America's youth to the fire service and give them excellent knowledge of fire ground operations. Many young men and women who participate in these programs go on to serve their communities as paid or volunteer firefighters as adults. Recognizing this as the key to the future of firefighting, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) sponsors many programs aimed at assisting fire departments foster their junior firefighter programs.

One of the NVFC's efforts in this area is the annual award of "America's Favorite Junior Firefighters". Each year they partner with Baskin-Robbins to honor several of the nation's outstanding Junior Firefighters and Explorers. According to Vern Losh of the NVFC, all fire departments have the opportunity to submit nomination and application forms to the National Volunteer Fire Council and Baskin-Robbins, putting their junior volunteers in consideration for this designation. The NVFC and Baskin-Robbins review all of the submissions and then choose those who they feel best exemplifies the role of junior firefighters and explorers. Losh says that all of the winners receive a certificate of achievement and a one year supply of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream. Several of them will be honored at their local Baskin-Robbins store on 31 Cent Scoop Night on April 29th.

31 Cent Scoop Night is a collaboration by the NVFC and Baskin-Robbins to honor firefighters and give them the opportunity to raise funds for their charities of choice. As part of this special event, Baskin-Robbins will donate $100,000 to the National Volunteer Fire Council to assist them with their Junior Firefighter programs. According to Scott Colwell from Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors, $50,000 of this money will be used to fund 10-$5,000 scholarships for outstanding junior firefighters. Chief Officers of any fire department may nominate their junior members, and all applications for this must be received by May 15, 2009. Go to www.nvfc.org/juniors for information on how to apply for these scholarships.

For a complete list of the 27 junior firefighters who are being recognized as "America's Favorite Junior Firefighters" click here.