Aaron Dickerson

Even though he’s only 17, Aaron Dickerson is no stranger to the Wharton-Barrett Volunteer Fire Department of Boone County, West Virginia. Aaron joined in 2008 when his high school made community service mandatory for graduation, thinking it would be a good way to get hours.  Since joining, he has accumulated over 500 hours, much more than the required amount.  A third generation fire fighter, Aaron has lived near the station all his life. His grandfather is the Assistant Chief and his father is the Captain. 

Aaron has enjoyed a vast array of experiences from his involvement with the Wharton-Barrett Volunteer Fire Department, from being the Dalmatian mascot during parades, to facing his fear of heights with rappelling, and even living in the fire station for one week last winter during the snowstorms. During the snowstorm, Aaron used the social media website, Facebook, to spread the word that an emergency shelter was available at the fire department.

When joining in 2008, he had no idea that in 2010 he would be responsible for a community computer lab. He has used the new computer lab as a recruitment tool for the fire department, recruiting five students from his school, the third smallest school in the state with only 250 students.

"At my age I’m responsible for the lab, I got the phone call for the lab, they told me that I could handle it all so I’ve been doing all the paperwork for it, taking all the phone calls for it, and I’ve had times where I’ve stayed all night here doing research and paperwork, trying to gather up people and advertise.  To be 17 and you’re in charge of something that could change your community, that just blows my mind.  I didn’t think I could be that much of a help to my community."

The Wharton-Barrett Volunteer Fire Department serves the communities of Greenwood, Bald Knob, Clinton, Bim, and Tannertown, as well as the communities of Wharton and Barrett where it gets its name.