“Alna Fire Department Models Civic Duty to WMHS Seniors”
The Alna Fire Department (AFD) welcomed Wiscasset High School seniors on January 29th to gain a deeper appreciation of civic service and the importance of volunteer fire departments in the heart of Maine communities.
Beth Whitney, the President of the Alna Fire Department stated, “Volunteer fire departments are not just about fighting fires; they are about making a difference in the community. Members of a volunteer fire department understand the importance of their role and the impact they have on people’s lives.”
Beth Whitney and Roger Whitney, AFD leaders provided an overview of the importance of volunteering, roles and responsibilities of the fire department and equipment capabilities. During the demonstration to the WMHS students, the Jaws of Life refers to hydraulic rescue tools used primarily to extricate crash victims from vehicles.
The WMHS Principles of Democracy (POD) Course is modeled after AP Civics Course and a Place-Based Learning (PBL) philosophy. A Place-Based Learning model connects learning and communities with the primary goals of increasing student engagement, understanding U.S. government and promoting civic participation.
Whitney emphasized, “Being a firefighter is not just a job, it’s a calling.”
