The Bonnyville Fire Department (BFD) and the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) have introduced a new program designed to provide teenagers firsthand experience in fire fighting training.
The program is designed for those in Grades 9-12 to “offer high school students hands-on learning experience regarding the fire services,” explained BFD chief Darryl Shyian.
“It's win-win for everybody,” he said during the Sept. 24 program session, saying the students learn fire fighting skills, while firefighters reinforce their understanding through teaching to others.
“So far I think it's really good,” said Jessica Dellaire, 17, one of five participating in the program. “You get a better understanding of what a firefighter really does and I'm really excited to see what more there is to come. So far I've been really excited every Monday to come and get to hang out with the people.”
Dellaire said she has always been interested in fire fighting and would like to become a volunteer firefighter in the future. This program has helped prepare her and teach her all the differed roles fire fighters play in our community.
“I had no idea they did stuff like this. I thought they just dealt with fires. I didn't know it was taking apart cars and being at the accident and stuff, I had no idea,” she said.
“And I like the hands-on stuff too, it's really cool how they don't just talk to you about it, they let you dress up in the gear and it's really awesome.”
Megan Fehr, 16, another participant, said she hopes to become an EMT in the future, as well as a volunteer firefighter on the side.
“(Fire fighting) has lots to do with dealing with people in accidents and having to deal with EMTs and stuff so I like that,” she said.
“I want to do something with helping people other than being a nurse…so I thought, ‘Hey, why not be an EMT? It's fun and you get to deal with being on-scene.'”
Though she's enjoyed all the sessions so far, Fehr said the Sept. 25 session has been her favourite yet.
“I think tonight is my favourite so far, we get to break windows and break open doors,” she said during a mock car accident the students were using for training purposes.
Dellaire was equally excited.
“They put tape on the window and I got to pop it out, it was cool,” she said. “They're really good with answering any questions you have, I wasn't as scared to ask them.
“I'm excited to see what the next few weeks are going to be about because so far it's been awesome,” said Dellaire.
“Last week we went to the dispatch centre and that was pretty cool. We got to learn how to take people out of vehicles,” said Fehr.
Byron MacAdams, 16, said this program is something that he has wanted to do for a long time.
“It's always been something I've been interested in and I wanted to find a way to be more involved in the community,” he said, hoping to land a career the fire or forestry sector.
The 10-week program teaches workplace safety, fire prevention and education, equipment familiarization, fire behaviour and extinguisher use, self-containing breathing apparatus training, and vehicle extrication.
“I hope they have it next year it would be fun for someone else to take; I definitely recommend it,” said Fehr. “I definitely would, too.”
