Brevard County Firefighter Volunteers at Burn Camp

(Brevard County, Fla) - Becoming a firefighter is no easy task.  They run into burning buildings, they cut accident victims out of cars, they care for patients during life-threatening emergencies and they are a first-line of defense for almost any situation.  It takes vast physical and mental strength, but the most important characteristic is a desire to help others.  Firefighter Doug Worley proves this every year as he volunteers his own time at Camp Amigo.  

Firefighter Worley and his camper.
Adam received the award for Camper of the year.  

Camp Amigo is a place to provide kids that have physical and emotional scars a place to be themselves and build a network of support that will last a lifetime.  The camp is run by firefighters who volunteer their already limited off-duty time to help these children.  Volunteer Counselors, or "buddies" as they're called, are carefully selected from those in the "recovery chain" (firefighters, paramedics, nurses, doctors, physical therapists, etc.).

Firefighter Doug Worley described the experience as extremely humbling.  He continues, "The opportunity to spend a week with the campers made all my problems seem very small, especially compared to the issues and struggles these kids were facing."  During the week, Doug and other volunteer counselors spend one-on-one time with a survivor.  For that week, it's all about the children; whatever they want to do, the counselors make it happen.

Firefighter Worley pictured at his camper's college graduation

These new relationships don't end simply because the week is over.  Doug's first camper was burned in an airplane crash, causing him to miss an entire year of school.  At one point, his doctors doubted if he would ever walk again.  Doug became his counselor each year until the "camper" turned 18.  The camper's parents invited Doug to the young man's high school graduation, and this year they invited Doug to sit with them as his former camper graduated from the University of South Florida.  "It was amazing to witness and I was proud to watch this kid walk across the stage; a kid who they had little hope for a full recover after his accident," says Doug.  

Last year, because of his commitment to helping others, Doug was also selected to attend the International Association of Firefighters' (IAFF) Burn Camp in Washington D.C.  Only three children and three counselors were selected from the entire State of Florida to attend this international affair.  Kids from all over the United States and Canada were paired up with counselors as they toured the monuments, visited the Arlington National Cemetery, and even laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Although Firefighter Worley donates his own time and uses personal leave, Brevard County Fire Rescue was able to offer some Administrative Leave to help cover a portion of the time he had to miss from work.  This demonstrates not only a commitment to help others from the firefighters, but from the department as well.  Brevard County Fire Chief Mark Schollmeyer told us, "I support him 100%.  The administrative leave is the least we can do."  This support from the Fire Chief is no surprise as this April you could find Chief Schollmeyer giving up his weekend to raise money for the "March of Dimes" event in Viera.

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By: Donald Slayman

Public Information Officer

Brevard County Professional Firefighters

Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com

www.facebook.com/iaff2969.PIO