The Cold Spring Fire Company in connection with the Town of Philipstown Recreation Department has created a Junior Firefighter Academy. The Academy is held for one week in July and is open to Philipstown residents in grades 4 through 8th. Classes begin at 9am each day and end at 3pm.

The Junior Firefighters are issued uniforms and photo ID tags that have be worn at all times during their attendance at the Academy. Throughout the week the Junior Firefighters received training from Firefighters,  EMT's and Paramedics in Fire Cause and Prevention,  Fire Safety,  Firefighting equipment and its usage,  CPR and First Aid, Importance of Teamwork, Physical Fitness and Marching just to name a few.

Due to the importance of these subjects, training is taken very seriously! If a junior firefighter acts out of line or is disrespectful, punishment may be issued. Such punishment consists of push ups and running extra laps and or writing what they did wrong several times and how they won't do it again.

The Academy also takes a field trip to the Fire Museum in Hudson and has a graduation ceremony on Saturday. Upon graduating from the Academy, each student receives certification as a Junior Firefighter as well as certified training in First Aid and CPR.

As a Junior Firefighter, each child will hold an important role in the Fire Safety of their families, school and fellow classmates. During Fire Prevention week, each Junior Firefighter will be entitled to assist the Fire Department in educating the other students in school as well as the rest of the community.

The academy cost is estimated at $75 per student, However due to generous donations from the community, all of the students attend for free.

This Academy is a new approach to Fire Prevention Education and may be extended to other age groups in the future. Interested parties are asked to contact the Fire Department for details.