CHAMBERSBURG, PA – A group of teens turned their off their phones and logged out of Facebook for a week recently to don firefighting gear, pull hose and climb ladders.
They went from being total strangers to bonding as a team in about 24 hours, explained Jerry Houpt, a coordinator of the Franklin County, PA, Junior Firefighter Academy.
The 42 teens from departments across the state and Maryland discovered quickly there’s more to fighting fires and treating patients than what they’ve seen in TV and movies.
In addition to donning full turnout gear and practicing with tools, there were classroom sessions where they learned CPR, heard about the importance of incident command and operating safely.
The instructors, volunteers and career firefighters, follow IFSTA training guidelines.
When an alarm sounded during those classes, the cadets grabbed their water bottles and ran to a nearby building where they donned full gear including SCBA. The six companies would then learn what task they were assigned.
Some would go to a forcible entry prop, another, search and rescue or ladders. Another team ran back to the classroom to perform CPR and apply an AED.
“We’re like a big family. We encourage each other,” said Claudia Rudisill, a member of Fountaindale Vol. Fire Dept.
The teens learned quickly it was in their best interest to watch out for each other.
“If someone leaves a water bottle behind when the alarm sounds, we all have to do pushups,” Rudisill said with a laugh. “It’s easier to grab it for them…”
This is the second year Rudisill has participated, and she enjoys every aspect.
Nicholas Schiavoni, a volunteer at Palmyra, said it’s been an experience he won’t forget. “The smoke in the building made me see what it would be like. I learned about situational awareness, and why you have to know your surroundings when you follow the line and do search and rescue.”
The youths stay in the gym of a nearby vocational school. And, the girls are in a separate area. Adults spend their nights there as well.
At 6 a.m., they march to the main academy for breakfast and morning physical training. By 11 p.m., most are more than ready to hit the bunks.
“It’s very physical,” Schiavoni said. “And, it’s been really hot.”
They took turns at the forcible entry prop, hooking up hoses, using various tools, carrying high-rise packs, performing search and rescue and climbing ladders.
The cadets bring their own turnout gear, boots and SCBA.
For the past three years, Rick Lewis, a career firefighter at Carlisle Barracks, has taken vacation to help with the academy.
“I’m not used to being around teens. So, this has been an experience. But, these (youths) are very motivated...It's been a lot of fun to teach them."
The staff of 20-25 keep close eye on every aspect of the operation, Houpt said, adding that he’s fortunate for the high caliber of volunteers.
On Wednesday evening, the students’ families were invited to see what their teens had been doing for the past few days.
Tears flowed when Brian Martinez spotted his daughter, Teri, 15. The two were embraced in a hug for minutes, oblivious to the loud crowd around them.
A volunteer at Mont Alto Fire Co., Martinez said he was impressed with what he saw.
“I get tears in my eyes watching all the stuff she’s doing. It’s just amazing. I’m very proud.”
As family members cheered and snapped pictures, the teens competed against each other.
Two would have to gear up, and once finished, touch their teammate, who used a sledge hammer on a log on a Keiser sled. The next part of the relay involved a firefighter climbing a ladder to a roof where another would haul up a reel of hose.
A firefighter carrying a high-rise pack raced down from the roof, and ran to a colleague who had to drag a hose several feet, open it up and knock over a cone.
Zachary Jumper, a firefighter in Gettysburg and Carlisle, decided to volunteer at the academy this year as his children, Logan and Mekenna, were involved.
Logan, a high school senior who wants to be a career firefighter one day, said his favorite exercise was truck ops, followed by search and rescue inside the smoky tower.
“We all work together as a team to get it done,” he said.
His sister echoed that. “We all help each other at everything. You don’t leave anyone behind. During PT, if we saw someone struggling, we encouraged them…”
The two are junior members at Buchanan Valley Vol. Fire Co.
Houpt, a firefighter at Fort Detrick, said the junior academy has grown beyond anyone’s imagination.
“Chiefs and officers were talking about the lack of junior members. Some departments had cadets, others didn’t. We came up with the idea of the academy where they could get a taste of firefighting,” he said.
“It grew like a wildfire to what it is today.”
Ben Holmquist, one of the key instructors and career firefighter in Montgomery County, MD, said he enjoys putting the cadets though the paces.
“We hit a milestone with this class,” he said. “No one dropped out. This is the first time we didn’t lose someone.”
In the past, some have quit after realizing it wasn’t for them, And, others have been homesick.
Cadets agree to abide by strict rules that include no cell phones or computers. And, hooking up with a teammate will get you a quick pass home.
While they are not allowed to do interior firefighting until they turn 18, the youths learn where they equipment is and how it operates. That way, they can assist at a fire scene.
They are allowed to ride emergency apparatus, but are not allowed to respond to calls along the interstates. “It’s just too dangerous for them out there,” Holmquist said.
Houpt, who has been involved since its inception 11 years ago, said he’s proud of the training academy’s reputation.
“We’re giving them a good basis so when they do take firefighter training they have an edge.”
That success, the instructors say, is a result of the months of planning and the expertise of the staff.
“We’re all on the same page. You have to be consistent across the board,” Holmquist said, adding that they have set a high bar for expectations.
Jordan Linhart, a graduate of the second academy class, said the training was exceptional.
Linhart, now a career firefighter in Fairfax County, VA, said the program was a good building block for what would come.
“It’s all about teamwork. And, you learn that quickly at the junior fire academy. When one person screws up, everyone gets punished. So, it’s important to work together…”
Linhart enjoys sharing his experiences with the cadets.
“I was there. I know what they’re going through…”
Holmquist and Houpt say watching the youths bond, and come together as a team makes all the sleepless nights worth it.
