A dozen Grade 11 and 12 high school students from Coquitlam haven’t been kicking back this March break.
They’ve been pulling on heavy breathing apparatus, rappelling from tall towers and cutting steel pillars to kick off a possible future career choice as part of the city’s junior firefighter program.
This is the sixth year of the intense, week-long immersion into learning the skills and challenges professional firefighters encounter every day, including:
- handling fire extinguishers
- climbing ladders, rappelling and using high-angle equipment like ropes and harnesses
- scene assessment
- basic first aid, CPR and using a defibrillator
- hose and nozzle drills
- auto rescue
- public service
Participants in this year’s program, that started March 15 and concludes March 22, began their journey to wearing turnout gear when they applied last November and included a personal interview and fitness test.
Go to the City of Coquitlam's webiste for more information.
