Sussex Academy student inspires young firefighters

Freshman Ethan Evans was a new Sussex Academy student when his school bus driver, Bob Schappert, invited him to join the junior firefighter program at Lewes Fire Department.

“My baby brother is in kindergarten, so I sat up front in the first seat with him, and [Schappert] started talking to me,” Ethan said.

Schappert is a retired Maryland police officer, current firefighter and informal recruiter for the junior firefighter program.

“Ethan is a very highly motivated young man, and 14 is a prime age to get involved,” Schappert said, so he invited Ethan to come out to the station one night.

“They showed me the engine,” Ethan said. “I took a ride and fell in love with it. Everyone welcomed me, and everyone was super nice.”

So, he applied to join the department, and now he spends his Friday evenings and off days at the Lewes fire halls.

“I can do it all but go into burning buildings,” Ethan said. “When I’m 16, I can go to the fire academy, and from there, I’ll be able to go into interior fires. I’m looking forward to that.”

Now, Ethan says he’s working to get his friends to join him in the department.

“It’s really fun, and there’s not a lot of kids my age doing it,” Ethan said. “We’re the future of the fire department.”

Ethan said he’s learned a lot in his new role, most notably the power of teamwork.

“When you’re at a scene, knowing each other really helps,” he said. “No matter how different you are, you all have the same goal and help each other. It’s important to try new things.”

Ethan’s interest in firefighting was first sparked a year ago, when a home in his neighborhood caught fire.

“I watched for two hours, and the fire police let me watch them cut open the roof,” Ethan said. “All I could think about was that, for months. I can learn a lot from them in life.”

Ethan said his confidence has also grown after becoming a junior firefighter.

“Before this, I wouldn’t go into a convenience store by myself,” he said. “Now, I’m meeting career staff and all new people, and it’s really helped me a lot with my social anxiety.”

Despite his new commitment, Ethan maintains all A's, and plays goalie for Sussex Academy's JV soccer team and the Route 1 Sports 2010 Boys Delaware Futbol Academy travel soccer team.

Ethan said he didn’t know he could be a firefighter at his age, and he recommends other teenagers explore the option.

“It’s something good you can do to help people,” he said. “Take a chance. Don’t force yourself to like it, but you might just love it.”

Schappert said parents and potential junior firefighters are welcome to come to a duty night and go on an actual call. Junior firefighters must keep their grades up, he said, and training is free. Junior firefighters develop good leadership skills and are under adult supervision at all times, he said.

Students interested in becoming junior firefighters are asked to call Schappert at 410-271-5480.

Sussex Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Georgetown. Its mission is to foster academic achievement and social responsibility in a small-school environment where students participate in a highly accelerated college preparatory program that prepares them for the technological and global mindedness needed for the 21st century. It also instills ethical conduct and service to others in their day-to-day lives.