Ames indicated the D Crew program goes straight to the JFD firefighter ’ s hearts . There are often runs to help individuals with disabilities and this assists the firefighters to better understand how to deal with each person ’ s differences .
Whitney Stevens , a self-contained special education teacher , also directs the Clark County ’ s CHOICE program , which involves Jeffersonville High School freshmen and sophomore students with intellectual disabilities . The goal for the program is connect with sources outside of school in order to teach the students skills that will benefit them in employment and independent living . The D Crew is an important component of the program .
Stevens indicated the most important thing the children on the D Crew learn is teamwork . Ames begins the program by talking about how important it is for the JFD to work as a team . The students are given many teambuilding activities during their participation in the program , including raising and checking ladders , testing and rolling up hoses , cleaning the fire trucks , and inspecting lights and oxygen tanks .
Stevens explained the D Crew are also taught about fire safety and the JFD brings an ambulance and EMS crew by to speak to the students . She added , “ We sometimes have a student or two each year that initially do not seem interested in joining the D crew . I recall one student who would not talk to Sgt . Ames . By the end of the program , this student wanted to work at the fire department with Sgt . Ames ! The firefighters work well with the students .”
TOP PHOTO , SGT . JUSTIN AMES TALKS WITH STUDENTS ; BOTTOM PHOTO , LEFT TO RIGHT , FIREFIGHTER CAMERON WOLFE , FOUR MEMBERS OF A LOCAL SCOUT TROOP , SGT . DANTE COOPE AND FIREFIGHTER PAUL FINCH
At the end of the program , the JFD hosts a D Crew celebration , where students can enjoy a catered lunch and receive their certificates for completing the program .
52 Jeffersonville Fire Department / 150 years