Fire Venturers Program
1st Toronto Fire Venturers is a joint initiative between Toronto Fire Services and Scouts Canada. It is a co-ed vocational Scouting Company for youth, which offers young people the opportunity to consider and explore a career in the Fire Services and other emergency services. The group aims to guide participants according to the Credo of Toronto Fire Services, “Courage, Compassion, Service”, and the Mission of Scouts Canada, “To contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.”

You don't have to be a Scout to join our Venturers company but you must be willing to register with Scouts Canada, abide by their rules and regulations, and work toward fulfilling many of the "Scouting" aspects of Venturers including commitment to community service, camping, and fundraising. Youth ages 14-17 years are eligible to join as Venturers and youth ages 18-24 years are eligible to join as Rovers. Once you are a member of a scouting company, you may continue to participate in the company as a Rover until the age of 26.

Program Times and Locations
There are two Fire Venturers companies, based out of two different Toronto Fire Services training centres:

1. Location: Toronto Fire and EMS Training Centre, 895 Eastern Ave.
   Age: Youth ages 14-24 are eligible to join this company (Venturers and Rovers).
   Meeting dates: First three Wednesdays of each month from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

2. Location: Toronto Fire Services East Training Centre, 4560 Sheppard Ave. East.
   Age: Youth ages 14-17 years old are eligible to join this company (Venturers only).
   Meeting dates: First three Tuesdays of each month from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Program/Activities
The 1st Toronto Fire Venturers program includes training in varied aspects of fire fighting operations, fire technology, fire prevention, medical first response and CPR. Program activities may include visits to the Toronto Fire Services Communications Centre, fire ground operations including opportunities to wear full turnout gear and run the training tower stairs, work with water charged fire hoses, training with self-contained breathing apparatus and search and rescue scenarios in closed areas. All company members will review safety guidelines as well as First Aid and CPR skills.

Since Scouting, like careers in emergency services, is synonymous with public service, youth are encouraged and invited to participate in many Scouting and City of Toronto public service events such as community clothing and food drives, information displays and parades and festivities. Physical fitness is actively promoted with indoor and outdoor activities planned throughout the year.

The 1st Toronto Fire Venturers company is sponsored in part by the Fire Department Employees Credit Union, and the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association and managed by a Group Committee that includes a Commissioner, Secretary, Treasurer and Fundraiser.

Registration
Participants are encouraged to register for our youth programs in September. Programs run concurrently with the academic school year.., to coincide with the start of the academic year. All of our youth programs have limited registration. Register in person.

The next VENTURERS, youth ages 14-17, registration period is Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., at the Toronto Fire Services East Training Centre, 4560 Sheppard Ave. East.
Please note that this program is also delivered from this location.

The next Venturers (14 - 17)/Rovers (18 - 25) registration period is Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., at the Toronto Fire and EMS Training Centre, 895 Eastern Ave.
Please note that this program is also delivered from this location.

Program registration is $150 and includes all material fees. Registration fees are submitted in cash, certified cheque or money order made payable to: Treasurer, City of Toronto.

We further encourage all participants to also register and join our Duke of Edinburgh's Award  for an additional fee of $20.  The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme offers participants the opportunity to set goals and achieve results in a fun and challenging way. The programme is non-competitive but allows youth to benefit through their own effort and to learn and grow from the experience. Youth must be between the ages of 14 to 25..

For more information about our programs, please contact:

District Chief Ron Barrow
Toronto Fire Services
Email: rbarrow@toronto.ca