Photo: Mike Biden

Seven lucky high school students in Penticton will be training alongside the Penticton Fire Department this spring.

For the first time, the department is offering what they call a "cadet academy" to students in School District 67, offering a firefighting training program that fulfills graduating students' required 100 hours of community service.

The program will start in March during the first week of the students' spring break.

"They'll kinda go through a boot camp with us and then after that they'll be riding on the trucks and spending the time with our on shift crew to complete their 100 hours," said Dennis Smith, deputy fire chief.

The participants will learn basic firefighting skills, starting with putting on their protective equipment like boots, helmets, breathing apparatuses and gloves. Then, they'll get to work with some of the equipment, including hoses, hand tools and ladders — as well as some bigger tools.

"They'll get to use the Jaws of Life, cut open a car or two," Smith said. "Kind of the basic entry level firefighting skills and equipment."

Smith said the program is an opportunity for the department to get to know potential future recruits, and for the students to get to know them in return.

"Once they become old enough to join our fire department, that opportunity is there for them and they'll have a bit of a jump start in the process," Smith said.

"It's just building a relationship with the high school, contributing to their education, so it's a win-win for both groups."