When the 911 dispatch center in Sheridan County, Kansas, receives a call about a fire, car accident or carbon monoxide alarm, 19-year-old Kaden Sekavec is one of the volunteer firefighters who responds.
In 2019, Sekavec spotted smoke rising over the local recycling center; he called 911 and headed to the scene where his dad, an experienced volunteer firefighter, helped extinguish the blaze.
Although Sekavec was too young to help, he got permission from the fire chief to help put the hoses back on the truck once the fire was out. The desire to help led him to launch a junior fire department in his hometown.
“The dream was to always be a fireman,” he says. “When I got the opportunity I jumped on it.”
Members of the junior fire department got their own gear and participated in training but couldn’t go on calls due to their age, but that didn’t stop Sekavec from learning the skills he needed so he’d be prepared to respond to calls when he turned 18. Sekavec has responded to more than 30 emergencies.
FFA Was the Foundation
There are 750,000 volunteer firefighters nationwide. Steve Hirsch, chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council, notes that volunteer fire crews are more common in rural areas where there is a need for trained responders but not enough calls to warrant a fully funded fire department.
A new film, “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat,” highlights the role volunteer firefighters play in the community. Hirsch hopes it will inspire others to sign up as volunteer firefighters.
“[Volunteer firefighting] is about neighbors helping neighbors when they need it the most,” Hirsch says.
Hirsch believes FFA members can excel in the volunteer fire service, explaining, “FFA members are taught to be problem solvers and good leaders, and those are the kind of people we need in the fire service.”
Sekavec, an alumnus of the Hoxie FFA Chapter, credits classes such as ag welding and ag mechanics for helping him gain the mechanical skills that are essential for performing vehicle extractions and managing firefighting equipment. FFA also taught him about teamwork and leadership. Like FFA, the fire service promotes a commitment to service.
For Sekavec, who is attending Kansas Wesleyan University, volunteering with the fire department is just the first step toward a full-time career fighting fires.
“I love helping people,” he says. “I love being out in the community and letting people know that I can help them if they ever need it.”
