Fire Camp & Junior Fire Academy

2021 UPDATE: (March 9th)

We are happy to announce the return of our annual Fire Camp & Junior Fire Academy for this summer. Our #1 priority will be the welfare of our cadets (campers) and we have developed a top quality program in keeping with COVID-19 safety & health precautions.

The Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department each summer hosts a Fire Camp & Junior Fire Academy for youth 14 – 17 years of age who are interested in the Emergency Services fields whether as a career path or as volunteers. A cadre of instructors and staff from the areas of Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Law Enforcement provide the campers, or as we like to call them, cadets, a glimpse into their worlds and sample what it’s like to be in them.

2021 Upcoming Camp Season

We will hold our third annual fire camp from June 21st to June 25th, 2021 with registration open starting March 9th. The format will be similar to past years but with a few new surprises and skills for the cadets to experience. Camp is limited to 24 Cadets so we recommend registering as early as possible.

Camp Fees

$50.00 per camper which includes:
– Lunch & snacks for all five days
– Two T-Shirts
– Camp Materials

Registration

Cadets and their parents may request a camp registration packet by:
Email – chief@holidayparkvfd.org
Phone – (724) 327-3456 (select camp extension)
In Person – Visit our fire station on any Tuesday from 7pm to 10pm

2021 Camp Leadership

Certifications Earned at Camp:

CPR/AED
Fire Dynamics
Fire Safety & Extinguishers
First Aid
Medical Helicopter Landing Operations
Stop the Bleed

Camp Activities Included:

Fire Ground Operations including hose lines, tools, ground ladders
SCBA Operations
Basic Vehicle Rescue
Fire Behavior and Chemistry
Ropes & Riggings
Search & Rescue
Smoke Maze at Penn Hills VFD #225
Water Rescue Operations
Emergency Medical Aid
Firefighter Down CPR
Arson Investigations
Team Building

2019 Camp Highlights

– Camp was held daily from June 17, 2019 – June 21, 2019.
– Allegheny County Fire Academy provided a instructor for several days to do hands-on training around fire behavior, dynamics, extinguishers, forced entry, and rescue operations.
– Cadets spent time at the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire’s Training Center & at Penn Hills VFD #225
– Monroeville VFD #4 brought their ladder truck out to work with our ladder truck to provide the cadets with in-depth ladder training on the fire ground.
– Lower Kiski Swift Water Rescue Team conducted water rescue class at the Sampson YMCA Pool with the cadets.
– AHN’s LifeFlight conducted a live helicopter landing & Stop The Bleed class
– Plum EMS taught CPR/AED training along with a EMS Tour of their apparatus.
– Graduation occurred at the Borough of Plum’s Summerfest at Larry Mill’s Park on the last day.

Camp Video from 2019 Camp Session

Photo Gallery & News Coverage of 2019 Session

VIEW: Photo gallery from this year’s camp: click here
WATCH: WTAE-TV Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Special Report on camp: watch here
REVIEW: Tribune-Reviews’s coverage of camp: click here

Camp Video from 2018 Camp Session

Click on the 2018 Camp Review below to watch a day by day look back at camp….

Camp Committee

2019 Camp Staff

Chief James Sims – Camp Director
Ast Chief Charles Usher III – Platoon A Leader
Captain Josh Scalamogna, Platoon B Leader
FF/Medic Dave Bender – Squad Leader
FF/EMT Tom Hordubay – Squad Leader
FF Robert Yuska – Squad Leader
FF/EMT CJ Campeanu – Squad Leader
FF Josh Hordubay – Squad Leader
CM Taylor Fusco – Squad Assistant
FF Aly Bryner – Squad Assistant
CM Jackie Taylor – Squad Assistant
Medical Officer Alex Marcelewski – Health/EMS
Safety Officer Greg Fusco – Administrative

Thank You!

We would like to thank our friends, colleagues, partners, and sponsors who are assisting us: