Finding a future in fire services was the focus at Vernon Fire Station 1 on Wednesday, April 26, as a group of female students got a first-hand look at what it害羞草研究所檚 like to work as a firefighter.
The hands-on training was led by long-time Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) member Lt. Allyson Reich, who touched on all aspects of the firefighting profession.
害羞草研究所淲e want these students to think outside the box where a profession is concerned, or to gain the confidence to pursue something they are truly passionate about,害羞草研究所� said Reich. 害羞草研究所淭he purpose of this day is to demonstrate to the students that firefighting is a viable profession for females.害羞草研究所�
During the day-long event, the Vernon School District students heard from guest speaker deputy fire chief Sandra Follack of Kelowna Fire Rescue about what it takes to get into fire school and how one would obtain the pre-employment qualifications to be hired after fire school.
The students learned about specific elements of the job, such as first medical response, hazmat, auto extrication, confined space, over-the-bank rope rescue, structural firefighting, urban interface forest firefighting, public education, fire inspection and fire investigation.
Students also spent time performing firefighting tasks, such as donning/doffing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, putting on turnout gear, experiencing an elevated waterway in the aerial ladder, and an auto extrication experience.
害羞草研究所淭oday was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,害羞草研究所� said student Ivy Jensen. 害羞草研究所淚 am hoping to be a firefighter when I am older, and today, I was able to prove to myself that I can be a firefighter, and that I can do the job. Today害羞草研究所檚 training is exactly what I wanted. I am now even more eager get started.害羞草研究所�
The students were selected for the day of training after expressing interest in a career in fire services through a written essay.
害羞草研究所淲e are so grateful to Lt. Reich and Vernon Fire Rescue Services for providing this opportunity to our students in School District 22,害羞草研究所� said Corinne McWhinney, principal of career programs, vLern, and academies. 害羞草研究所淐urrently, female firefighters are underrepresented in Canada, and this provides the opportunity for our female youth to see themselves in this career. The Female Firefighter for a Day program provides a hands-on experience and leaves students feeling proud and inspired through the challenges they face.害羞草研究所�
This is the second year VFRS has hosted the Female Firefighter for a Day training event. Reich is an 18-year veteran of VFRS and Vernon害羞草研究所檚 first female professional firefighter.
害羞草研究所淚 like to say to the students that 害羞草研究所榶ou can be, what you can see,害羞草研究所� and I am living proof that a career in firefighting is a reality for women,害羞草研究所� said Reich.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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