Community Outreach

Touch-a-Truck 

Wide-eyed youngsters and their parents crowded the Mandel Public Library recently for the Touch-a-Truck program featuring a West Palm Beach Fire Department engine. From standing on the truck, sitting in the cab to trying on real “bunker gear,” the children were thrilled to see what we do.

A youngster tries on the heavy fireman's jacket as two firefighters look on.

Ready to become a fireman

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A young girl and her mother at the back of a fire tuck

A girl and her mom at the back of the truck

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Two children standing in the back cab of a fire truck

Two children check out the fire truck's interior

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Youngsters stand in awe as a fireman puts on his bunker gear.

Children with wide-eyed curiosity watch a fireman suit up

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Curious about a fire truck, a little boy touches the unit

A little boy's curiosity as he touches a truck

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A child sits in the fire truk cab looking like he's ready to answer a call.

A young "fireman" is in the cab ready to answer a call

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Parents, many holding their child, are lined up waiting their turn to touch a fire truck.

Parents and children line up to touch-a-truck

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Two moms with their children listen as firefighters talk.

Families are mesmerized listening to the fireman

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A young man and his mom look at all the gear stored inside the fire truck.

A young man and mom check out equipment inside a fire truck compartment

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A young boy stands on the front bumper of a fire truck and holds onto a guide pole

A young man hangs on while standing on the fire truck front bumper

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Junior Alerts

Teaching Skills that Last a Lifetime

Junior Alerts is a life skills program that exposes young teenagers to the training and skills required to become firefighters. Our program provides essential training in leadership, responsibility, discipline, and teamwork – values that last a lifetime, and are required in every profession.

Junior Alert participants gain hands-on experience learning from our professional firefighters and are mentored by students from the Palm Beach Lakes High School Fire Academy. Participants learn how to master a variety of professional fire service techniques and other skills.

This unique summer program is co-sponsored with the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club. If you would like to participate in our next Junior Alert program in the summer of 2026, register at the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club, or email registration@bgcpbc.org.  

Our Summer 2025 Junior Alerts Graduates

Eight Junior Alert Graduates are joined by West Palm Beach Fire Chief Diana Matty and Mayor Keith A. James

Junior Alert Graduates with Mayor Keith A. James and Fire Chief Diana Matty

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Mayor Keith A. James addresses the graduates at the Junior Alerts program

Mayor Keith A James addresses the graduates

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Chief Diana Matty, Junior Alert Graduate Jedah Wellington and Mayor Keith A. James

Junior Alert graduate Jedah Wellington with Chief Diana Matty and Mayor Keith A. James

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Junior Alert Graduate Jhaiden Williams tries out the driver's seat in a West Palm Beach Fire Truck

Junior Alert graduate Jhaiden Williams at the wheel

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Mariela Gomez was presented a certificate by Chief Diana Matty and Mayor Keith A. James for assisting in the Junior Alerts program.

Palm Beach Lakes High School Fire Academy student Mariela Gomez mentored Junior Alert students. She was presented a certificate by Chief Diana Matty and Mayor Keith A. James

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Palm Beach Lakes High School Fire Academy student Ryah Jones jumps into the driver's seat of a West Palm Beach fire truck

Palm Beach Lakes HS Fire Academy member Ryah Jones takes a turn at the wheel

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Firefighters attach a structure as Junior Alert members watch and learn

Junior Alert students watch and learn

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Chief Diana Matty, Junior Alert Graduate Jayden Collins and Mayor Keith A. James

Junior Alert Graduate Jayden Collins with Mayor Keith A. James and Fire Chief Diana Matty

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Palm Beach Lakes High School Fire Academy members provided mentorship to the Junior Alerts.8 members with Mayor Keith A. James and Fire Chief Diana Matty

Palm Beach Lakes HS Fire Academy mentors with Mayor Keith A. James and Fire Chief Diana Matty

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