Youth show enthusiasm, promise

Alicia Boisson
South Peace News

Three months ago the High Prairie Fire Department launched their first year of the Junior Firefighting Program. Now, the chosen three candidates are under review, waiting to hear if they will be approved to join the ranks of High Prairie’s finest. Deputy Fire Chief John McDermott says the program has been very successful, with only a few bumps in the road. “Of course, there are always some things that need to be worked out but overall the program has ran really well,” says McDermott. “The candidates chosen have been very motivated and it has been a learning curve for all of us.” The program was launched on Feb. 14, after the department decided the community needed another program where youth could learn something new and exciting and practice skills. “The candidates have been exposed to the training and people who do this every day,” says McDermott. “But I think the biggest message relayed to them, is that you are always working with someone. In this type of position you basically put life into somebody else’s hands. You have to rely on your partner because there is no such thing as a hero.” Always partnered with a senior or junior officer, the junior firefighters have had the opportunity to take part in controlled burning exercises, and other learning exercises. “They have really been given the benefits of learning with a dynamic of experiences,” adds McDermott. Courtney Blecourt, a junior firefighter, says the program has taught her a lot. “I am planning on becoming an EMT and I wanted to join to gain experience in emergency services,” says Belcourt. “I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but the hardest part about the program is not being able to lift as much as the guys.” In the fall, Belcourt will be attending school to become an EMT, which she says should take about two years. She adds when she is done she plans on returning to the area and continuing to volunteer. Adam Crossman is another junior. He says the program has opened a lot of doors for him for the vfuture. “I really love the program, I can’t wait until the next practice,” says Crossman. “The people, the excitement, and the teamwork, are all great. John has told me that we could all be guaranteed careers with emergency services through this program, so it is great. I was thinking a taking courses to become an EMT.” Crossman adds in the future he would like to see more of his peers involved. “There wasn’t much interest before, but since the (three of us) have been talking about it, more and more (students) are becoming interested,” adds Crossman. The biggest lesson Crossman has learned from the program is not to over analyze. “It really slows you down. When I was doing a test for the breathing apparatus, I was overanalyzing everything and because of it I didn’t pass,” says Crossman. Tyrell Willier-D’Aoust, another member, says the program is what he expected it to be. “We’re right in there with the firefighters during practices, observing and participating. It is a great opportunity for high school students to explore their options.” Willier-D’Aoust adds the most exciting component of the program was the smoke house practice. “We filled a house with smoke and had to go in and try and find a firefighter who needed help. It was really hard but I would really like to excel at this, and eventually become an attack guy,” says Willier- D’Aoust, who is leaving to go to school in the fall but hopes to return and possibly volunteer. If they pass their review, the Junior Firefighters will be given pagers, to start playing a key role in actual calls acting as support, says McDermott. Applications for the following year’s candidate will be available in the fall.

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