Firefighter Eagle Scouts: Take the Fire Safety Merit Badge Challenge

You’ve read about the heroic fire-fighting efforts of Scouts who knew how to keep their cool during a blaze and understood the importance of fire safety on Scouting Newsroom. But did you know you can play a major role in teaching fire safety to Scouts like these? That’s right – if you are a firefighter Eagle Scout, then NESA has a challenge for you!

The National Eagle Scout Association Firefighter group is asking all firefighter Eagles to take the Fire Safety Merit Badge challenge during Fire Prevention week (October 5-11) by offering Fire Safety Merit Badges at their firehouses. This challenge encourages training Scouts on fire safety while also exposing them to the fire service. Discover how you can take on the Fire Safety Merit Badge challenge below.

How Do You Take the Challenge?

1. Contact your local council. If you do not know your council, you can find out using the Local Council Locator. Call them and ask for the Program/Activities Director, Director of Field Service, or Assistant Scout Executive. Let them know you want to offer the Fire Safety Merit Badge at your station. Ask them to promote the event (date, time and location of the Merit Badge Class) and coordinate with them a way to track RSVPs (You may want to consider charging a nominal fee of about $5 and providing lunch). Make sure to reach out and partner with other Eagles in your department too.
2. Sign up as a merit badge counselor. If you are not already registered as a counselor, fill out the Merit Badge Counselor Information form. If you are not sure what to do, ask your council for assistance.
3. Review the guide for merit badge counselors. 
4. Know the Fire Safety Merit Badge requirements.
5. Promote the event. Share this challenge with your Scouting network through your Council, social media, and your Department’s Public Information channels.
6. Offer the class! Take pictures, post them on social media and share them on the LinkedIn NESA Firefighter Group.

Can I conduct other merit badges? Absolutely! Some other merit badges you may qualify for are First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, and Search and Rescue.

For more information check out the NESA Firefighter LinkedIn Page.