Local students put their firefighting skills to the test to wrap up this year’s Fire Fighters Youth Training Camp.
The camp, run by Comox Fire Rescue and School District 71, simulates the training experience recruits go through to become a firefighter.
Comox Fire rescue captain and coordinator of the camp Corey Brooks says they have done 11 camps and run them every other year while RCMP runs their own camps.
He says students have long days during the training.
“They are looking at 10 to 16-hour workdays, and what they are doing throughout those days are numerous fire-fighting activities,” said Brooks. “They do structure fires, car fires, high-angle rescue, confined space training, searches in smoke-filled building, hoseline management and fitness.”
Brooks says because of the pandemic, they couldn’t run a camp for 4 to 5 years, with this camp marking their first since Covid.
Along with learning these skills, he says the camp gives them self-development.
“They really learn a lot about themselves, their capabilities and teamwork,” said Brooks.
“They come here and don’t know each other, sure they are the same age but come from different schools, and when the teams are designed, they are not from the same school. We want them to meet, greet, form a team and become close with each other and it happens so quickly.”
The camp ran from Friday March 15 to Sunday March 17, with Brooks adding that it was fast paced because the training would be done between 5 to 7 days.
He thanks the community, parents, school district, and the other fire departments for their support this year.
