Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — Being a firefighter is more than just pulling people out of a burning building, McCook High School kids are finding out.
The nuts and bolts, behind-the-scenes work of a firefighter is being learned firsthand by the students, who are members of the recently formed Junior Firefighting program at Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department.
The McCook Daily Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1jPXsBm ) the program, part of the National Volunteer Fire Council, has chapters across the nation, with the group in McCook getting an enthusiastic response from students, according to Billie Cole, a volunteer firefighter with Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department who has initiated the program.
She recruited students from the high school FFA ag classes and expected only five or six to show interest. Instead, 13 have signed up.
"They are learning everything we do," she said of the students, aged 16 to 18, with students training alongside with rural volunteer firefighters.
This means learning how to maneuver rope rescues for a grain bin rescues or rolled vehicles, hazmat procedures to clean up after a chemical spills, as well as training in speed and dexterity to strap on air packs, and handling hoses and nozzles.
Although students will be able to respond to a fire, they will have to stay at least 20 feet behind the "hot zone," Cole said. But they will be kept busy rolling and unrolling hoses, handing out water and supplying other firefighter items.
It won't be all excitement. Also on tap is a visit to the Nebraska Fire Fighting School in Grand Island, attending a hazmat synopsis and becoming CPR certified.
The junior firefighting program may also help in the future, said John Clark, a volunteer with the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department. Clark said recruitment is down among volunteer fire departments and now is the time to get kids involved.
"If we start them young, they can be more aware of what's going on," he said, and hopefully want to join a volunteer department.
The program is a win-win for everyone, Cole contended.
The training not only equips students for a future career in firefighting, but looks great on resumes and college applications, she said.
It also teaches kids it's not "all about me."
"Not only do the kids get involved in the community, but it's a very humbling experience to be in emergency services. People come up to you afterward, so grateful for what you've done."
The City of McCook Fire Department may also partner with the program in the future.
___
Information from: McCook Daily Gazette, http://www.mccookgazette.com
This AP Member Exchange was shared by the McCook Daily Gazette.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
