While most teens look forward to rest, relaxation and maybe a part time job over summer vacation. That was not the case for 3 West Haven teens. Dylan Hart, Joseph Marzano and Scott Skurja are volunteers in the West Haven Fire Department Explorer Post 3. They were selected to attend the State of Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control Youth Summer Cadet Program held at the CT Academy in Windsor Locks.

During the one week program these junior firefighters lived in dorm-style housing along with 30 other male and female cadets ages 16-17 from departments across Connecticut. During this time they trained in all aspects of fire fighting from Incident Command, Wild land firefighting, ladders, ropes, knots, proper usage of fire extinguishers and most importantly teamwork. They also attended the New England Fire Chief’s Exposition in Springfield, MA during the week. These 3 teens entered the program The program was designed to give teens a small sampling of what the fire service is all about from history to hands on with a large emphasis on teamwork, pride, safety and self esteem. On the final day these cadets along with there peers had the opportunity to show parents, friends and service chief’s what they had learas individuals and came out as a team.

The program was designed to give teens a small sampling of what the fire service is all about from history to hands on with a large emphasis on teamwork, pride, safety and self esteem. On the final day these cadets along with there peers had the opportunity to show parents, friends and service chief’s what they had learas individuals and came out as a team.

ned over the past 5 days. A ceremony was held at the Fire Academy to acknowledge the accomplishments of these cadets. Each was presented with certificates of achievement, Hart, Marzano & Skurja’s were presented by West Haven Deputy Chief Robert Schwartz.

Skurja will be entering his junior year at Platt Tech in Milford, Hart and Marzano are juniors at West Haven High School. They devote much of there free time training and participating in community service projects with the Explorer Post.

The cost of this cadet program has been continuing to rise to over $400 per cadet. The Explorer Post fund raises annually to allow members to apply for this program. This year the Explorer Post received a generous donation from the West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198 and West Haven Police Department Local 895 each sponsoring one cadet.