Article via Delaware County Daily Times
Josiah Robinson-Leary, 17, was introduced to the fire company by his freshman history teacher, a former volunteer, who was impressed by his academic performance and urged him to join.
“Throughout my time here, I have seen myself grow as a firefighter and I have seen many other people join, pick up new skills and become skilled firefighters. It’s a very diverse atmosphere and it really showed me that anyone can do it, as long as they put their mind to it,” said Josiah.
As a junior firefighter, Josiah supports his team during emergencies by helping secure the scene, set up ladders, run hose lines and more. South Media Fire Company holds weekly training sessions, which fits well with his schedule as a high school student. His favorite drill is the minute-man exercise, a demanding, fast-paced exercise that emphasizes quickly deploying a hose load in the shortest time possible.
“Training is always productive and very educational. It is very interesting to see how we can come together and utilize the resources in our community,” he said.
He sees his journey into the volunteer fire service as a full-circle moment. Josiah recalls firefighters visiting his kindergarten class to teach fire prevention, and now, he’s the one in gear, sharing life-saving fire safety tips with aspiring firefighters.
“It’s surreal to think that I was once sitting in a classroom, learning from firefighters, and now I’m the one helping to teach the next generation. It feels like I’m giving back in the same way I was inspired all those years ago,” Josiah stated.
Although South Media Fire Company volunteers encounter dangerous, high-pressure situations, Josiah says that the firehouse’s upbeat, positive atmosphere remains unwavering.
“It’s always been a tight-knit community in the firehouse. Our leadership does a good job of keeping the atmosphere friendly and light-hearted. It’s a very positive environment,” he stated.
This sense of community in the firehouse has influenced Josiah’s future aspirations, blending his professional goals with a commitment to volunteering.
“When I am older, I want to become a certified public accountant, but I’d also like to continue volunteering with my local fire station. I want that to be a lifelong activity that I am a part of,” he said.
South Media Fire Company is constantly seeking new members to volunteer. No prior experience is needed to join; training and gear are provided at no cost.
“You’ll gain a new community of people who not only care about protecting the community, but will also have your back. There are so many resources available, and you get to learn essential fire safety skills that will make you feel more comfortable and safe throughout your daily life,” added Josiah.
Visit www.SouthMediaFire.com/Contact to submit a no-obligation volunteer contact form. Once the inquiry is submitted, a representative will reach out, answer any questions and schedule a tour of the station.