SD73 students participate in BCWS workshop

Grade 11 and 12 students from the Kamloops-Thompson area put on the red BC Wildfire Service jumpsuit last week, learning what it takes to become a wildland firefighter.

Several School District 73 students participated in the Junior Fire Crew Workshop, a school board program that happened in partnership with BCWS.

Over four days, 18 students learned fundamental fire fighting skills, what it takes to work for BCWS, and they even tested their physical fitness with a firefighter fit test.

During Friday's fitness check, the students were weighed down with a 65 pound pack before running up and over a ramp several times. Finally, they pulled a 120 pound sled to mock a charged fire hose seen on a fire line.

“They're kind of just doing a fitness check for themselves, as well as we're doing a light scouting,” Joshua Skinner, BCWS Wildland Firefighter said.

In order to apply for the Junior Fire Crew Workshop, students had to first pass a fitness exam called a beep test to prove their stamina and physical ability.

Sydney Fraser, a grade 11 student in the program, said she is regularly active but the workshop fit test was nothing like she had ever done before.

“It was really hard, it was a lot harder than I thought it was gonna be,” Fraser told Castanet Kamloops.

“My end goal — I was like, I just have to finish, I just have to keep a consistent pace and finish," Fraser said.

Skinner, who completed the Junior Fire Crew Workshop in 2019, said the program is very near and dear to his heart.

“It helps with retention a lot when we can start with young kids and get them interested,” Skinner said.

“It helps us a lot with getting people interested and helping with our retention when they are with us.”

Despite the physical demands of the job, Skinner said strength isn’t the most important quality for a firefighter.

“The biggest thing comes down to personality and drive, if you can get out there and just do everything to [the] best of your ability,” he said.

“Everybody's different sizes here. So not everybody has to carry the same amount of hose. But if you try your hardest every day, then you'll fit in great.”

Fraser said she wanted to join the program because she was interested in fighting wildfires. She said she will be applying for BCWS after she graduates.

“I've had a lot of fun. So far, we've been doing a lot of interesting work and learning a lot of different things about firefighting, the equipment that they use, and the tactics that they use to help,” she said.

“I have to wait two more years before I'm able to apply anywhere. But after I’m done high school, I’ll definitely try and apply.”