Ten high school students receive the chance of a lifetime to become a helping hand with the fire, police, and ambulance department. Hannah Goebel, Jarred Switlik, Dylan Reno, Amanda Estep, Lee Wirerik, Alex Spencer, Wesley McDowell, Alex Reno, Brenton Parsons, and Emerson Morrison are all part of a program called "The Venture Crew," which trains with all three departments including storm spotters.

 

"The Venture Crew is an activity for older youth with an emphasis on public safety," said Mr. Richard Doornink Venture Crew Advisor. The group is for people who have an interest in either emergency medicine, fire, or police activities. Students can receive high school credit while taking certain classes with the Venture Crew program. To be in the program you have to be between the ages of 14-20, but you also have to be passed the 8Th grade and fill out an application as well as pay $15 to Boy Scouts of America. Classes are every Wednesday at 6pm to 10pm. It is up to the advisor and the police department to determine if the applicant is of good moral character. "This particular Venture Crew will be exposed to some sensitive ares of work. Members will be allowed to ride 10 hours a month on an ambulance, so members must be trusted to keep patient confidentiality," said Mr. Doornink.

 

If a members want to sign up to ride, they must fill out a form with a parent signature and pay the $15 fee. A member could get called out for an emergency, so the member is covered with insurance that is above and beyond what the normal insurance for them is. Members also get to go on high adventure activities. One is in the works for this year is an over night float trip down the Grand River. Venture Crew members as part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have helped conduct a search and rescue mission for a missing Polo child was found on a train car and they have also conducted practice searches in Cameron.

 

During an emergency that requires the help of the Venture Crew, the members will help with fire fighter rehab, book keeping, communications, and inside duties. Members have also helped at Camp Geiger Boy Scout camp to teach Boy Scouts CPR. The Venture Crew was started because people had an interest and asked if there were any junior fire fighters, police, and EMT's--which there is not. 

The group has very high expectations of its members. For some, that can be stressful. For Sophomore Hannah Goebel, her goal is to not fail out of the Venture Crew class. "In order to pass the Class you have to have an 80 percent!" said Hannah.