Okanagan high schoolers had the chance to learn the ropes of firefighting over Spring Break.
Hosted by the Lake Country Fire Department, Grade 11 and 12 students from George Elliot, Mount Boucherie, Immaculata, Rutland Senior, and Vernon Secondary took part in the Junior Firefighter Bootcamp.
Students received first aid training, learned the proper use of personal protective gear, participated in drills, and assisted in lunch prep.
“I really liked learning the rope tying knots and was a little scared of the SCBA breathing equipment and the ladder truck,” said Marixa, one of the participating students. “But we were given intense safety briefings and the instructors walked us through everything step by step. I connected with the firefighters and the other students in the program. It was a great experience.”
“This kind of training is part of our community involvement,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kynan O’Rourke. “Not only does it give senior high school students some exposure to firefighter skills so they may decide to go on to a career in first response - and maybe a new crew of recruits for us in Lake Country - but it sharpens our members’ training and leadership skills.”
The junior firefighters all took home CPR and AED basic life support certificates.
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