Friday, October 2, 2026
Heat from the sun and mock flames gave teens a real-life test as members of the Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association demonstrated their skills at Camp Fahrenheit 516 on July 28. The event, organized by the Nassau County Fire Service Academy at Old Bethpage, saw teens work up a sweat in the midst of their five-day boot camp.
Rockville Centre teens who took part in the program included Patrick Leach and Junior Fire Department Captain John Cook.
The camp attracted teens from 23 villages and towns in Nassau County who have an interest in becoming firefighters or working as volunteers in their towns. County Executive Ed Mangano spoke to the participants before they suited up for action, saying that he valued their commitment to the program.
Teens climbed a fire truck ladder to enter a building, put out a mock fire, organized tools and supplies needed in burning buildings and learned how to carry out emergency procedures.
