Chief Burnett Asked To Speak At Local Fire Service Event

Chief of Department Anthony Burnett was asked to give the opening remarks at the 2013 Explorer/Junior Firefighter Competition. The annual event was held at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton.

The Annual Explorer/Junior Firefighter Competition was started in 2008 by Lieutenant Michael Robertson of Evesham Fire Rescue who started his fire service career as a Junior Firefighter in 1985 at the Willingboro Fire Department. The Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association became the main sponsor of the event in 2010.

The competition is based on five events:

MVA/Patient Removal
Gear Scramble and Combat Challenge
Bucket Brigade
Know Your Tools
Simulated House Fire Scenario

The event is held annually at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton. Each team pays a small entry fee, and all other costs are covered through corporate sponsors. There are also many displays of antique fire apparatus, fire safety, and sponsors during the event.

Since Chief Burnett started his fire service career as a junior firefighter, the competition's committee asked him to speak to the participants before the start of the day's events. The chief spoke about how the fire service has changed since his days as a junior firefighter. The changes in techniques, safer protective clothing and apparatus, and how fire departments are run more and more like a business today, as compared to years ago.

Chief Burnett then spoke about the attributes that describe a firefighter:

Brave: Possessing or exhibiting courage.
Strong: Not just having strength, but has great moral power or courage.
Fearless: Without fear, but being bold or brave.
Courageous: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain.
Honor: Having that high respect for the position of being a firefighter

"These attributes", Chief Burnett told the crowd, "create a team, and the fire service is all about teamwork.".

Chief Burnett told the competition participants that being successful in the fire service starts today. By joining their local fire department, these young men and women have started to lay the foundation for a successful future. He also reminded them that a solid education will help them in reaching their goals and helping them in future endeavors, both in and out of the fire service.

On a final note the chief wished everyone good luck in the competition. While they are already winners by joining the fire service to help their community, he declared them all winners no matter where they finish in the competition. Chief Burnett then sent the participants out to start the competition and spent the morning viewing the competition.

(All photos courtesy of Firefighter Scott Seybert - Delran Fire Department)