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Central Okanagan students feel the heat at firefighter bootcamp

90 students took part to learn firefighting skills

Central Okanagan Public School students got a glimpse into the life of a firefighter.

On April 24, about 90 students from seven local schools took part in firefighter bootcamp at the Kelowna Fire Hall 1 on Enterprise Way.

Students learned how to roll out and connect fire hoses, the proper use of a fire extinguisher and what dispatchers do.

Jonah VanHeukelom, a Grade 9 student at Dr. Knox Middle School, ran the tower stairs with an oxygen tank strapped on. He said the pack was about 35 pounds and felt similar to carrying a backpack full of textbooks.

A career in firefighting isn’t out of the question for VanHeukelom.

“One of the things I wanted to do when I was younger was go to Ontario and do firefighting. So, I feel like this is a good way to bring me into how to learn that.”

The firefighter bootcamp program has been teaching students the ins and outs of the career for approximately two decades.

READ MORE: Prohibition of Category 3 open fires coming to Okanagan-Shuswap



Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

I am a video journalist based in Kelowna and capturing life in the Okanagan
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