Innisfail High School graduate launches fire cadet program

Students in the program learn skills such as confined-space training, entanglement props, and suiting up in full gear under the clock.

Last month, the students travelled to the Innisfail Town Yard for a vehicle extraction training.

Working in teams, they used hand and power tools to open up vehicles and simulate freeing a trapped person.

By the end of the day, the students had opened up two cars before coming together as one to conduct a formal scenario on a third vehicle. This was done with a dummy standing in for a casualty.

(Image Credit: Chinook’s Edge School Division/Supplied)

Students say the experience was unlike anything else in their school career.

“Before, classes were all book work, but this has been all hands-on,” one cadet said in a media release.

“This actually prepares you for when you have a real emergency or accident,” another one added. “Most people don’t have this sort of training.”

The program also provides the qualifications to serve as volunteer firefighters.

Students learn theory before moving into hands-on training, and they earn their full first aid certification in the process.

There is an interview process to join, and the program is offered at no cost to students, except for steel-toed boots.

This year’s program wrapped up with a graduation ceremony at the fire hall on May 28, featuring awards for academic excellence, leadership, and community service.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Innisfail High School graduate launches fire cadet program

What's Trending