It's absolutely a useful activity to get into. Rostering and meeting requirements vary between agencies, but if your son is genuinely interested in the field he will have no problem balancing schoolwork and these requirements. Collegiate teams place heavy emphasis on academics-first and understand that student volunteers have priorities. (I am a former Chief of Operations of my alma mater's emergency response team)
The Wiccopee Fire Company will host its 51st Annual Steak Roast on Saturday, September 12th from 1 to 6pm at the main station. See http://wiccopeefireco.org/ for more information. Hope to see you there!
While I slightly agree, where will the funds come from? Volunteer districts save millions of dollars. However, when I see departments on Long Island with bowling alleys, 20 LCD flat panel TV's and tiki bars in their stations...