High school students take part in B.C. Wildfire Service’s junior program

KAMLOOPS — As a spree of fires continues to ignite across the B.C. Interior, the B.C. Wildfire Service is putting the next generation to the test to see if they have what it takes to deal with wildfire like scenarios.

More than 15 high school students from Grades 11 and 12 took part in a junior fire crew program outside at the B.C. Wildfire Centre Friday (April 21). The program is meant for students who are interested in becoming a firefighter or having a career with B.C. Wildfire.

“I want to get on a crew and then further diversify throughout the years,” Grade 12 student Ashlee Weir told CFJC Today. “I want to get on this crew as many years as my body will let me. It’s definitely a gruelling job but I would love it. I’ve always been a part of a team and this is definitely a team-based career that I would love to get into.”

The program has students tackle physical activities that resemble what it’s like to be a part of a wildfire crew. Dawson Morgan is a part of an inital attack crew and remembers taking the course last April before being hired on in the summer.

“I learned a lot from the course,” Morgan told CFJC Today. “Definitely something that I can apply to the actual job. You know, just honing in on the skills and getting more opportunities to run pump, to get on hose, do some more guard digging. Just general firefighting stuff like that.”

Oliver Conrad is another Grade 12 student who is hoping to get an opportunity with the wildfire crew. During the course, Conrad was trying to envision himself in a real wildfire scenario.

“Say it’s just you, you can’t carry someone out on a stretcher,” Conrad said. “You tie a rope on that and you’re pulling them through. I’m thinking I have a close friend with me when I’m carrying someone. Just anything to keep me motivated and going.”

Conrad and the rest of the students are hoping this experience will translate into job opportunities for the upcoming wildfire season.