in mine country, many firedepartments has a youth section, for children below 18 years of age. Volunteers would teach them the basics, have competitions and just let them play with firefighting equipment (they usually get the old stuff). They will not be exposed to real fire training or any of that. It's a way to bond people to the fireservice. Many youth member will become real fireman when they get older.

I know of one town, who will actually pay children in there youth department an actual (children)wage, so they would join the youth section more easy, instead of working in a supermarket or something. If they manage to get through the selection, they can even get a job guarantee when they turn 18. All that to hopefully bonding the to the fireservice, so they can join.