By Stephen Smoot
“My dad’s been a firefighter for 30 years. I wanted to follow in his footsteps . . . helping people in this county,” said 15-year-old Lucas DiFalco, a soft-spoken young man with a serious countenance and a determination to serve his community.
Last month, he, Sarah Nelson (15), and Liam Simmons (16) traveled to the State Fire Academy at West Virginia University – Jackson’s Mill, to learn the fundamentals of joining one of the most essential services to any area. Tanner Hedrick also attended from the Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Department.
Youth between the ages of 14 and 17 can attend the camp. Some see it as a way to test the waters and see if the fire service should be part of their future. Others, however, regard it as a necessary, yet exciting and fun, first step toward the commitment to being “always ready” to protect their communities.
Training to be “always ready” includes leadership skills, increased knowledge and awareness of volunteerism as a foundation for the service, ways to support operations safely before joining as full-fledged adult members, and forming friendships with future brothers and sisters in the fire service.
Said Sarah Nelson, daughter of Franklin Volunteer Fire Department chief, Richard Nelson, “I’m planning on joining the fire department when I come of age and I wanted the skills to do that.”
According to FVFD’s Brian DiFalco, the junior academy opened its doors in 2011 with the goal of “exposing the kids to firefighters, get that bug in them before they get their drivers licenses” and seek out other priorities. He explained that one of the most important benefits that the camp provides to the state is that “70 percent of the graduates go on to some type of public service.”
Like any sports or other types of summer camps, kids can get a bit of the jitters when experiencing it for the first time. Simmons, whose aunt and uncle also volunteer for FVFD, related that “I was nervous and excited at first.” He related also that “when I met more people, my nerves went away when I got to talk to them.”
“I was a little bit nervous about not doing stuff right,” said Nelson about her first day, but that passed for her quickly as well. Simmons explained that those leading instruction ensured that “most of the time it was pretty easy (to pick up the skill) once they showed you.”
Campers received instruction in 17 different areas that cover a broad range of skills, including hose line operations, fireground operations, live fire training, aircraft rescue firefighting, vehicle fires and extraction, as well as much more.
Lucas DiFalco stated that one of the more challenging scenarios came in “the building with live fire in it.” As he explained, “The smoke rises so you have to get low to the ground, navigate through the smoke, use your hands to feel.” Campers learned techniques such as how to “use the axe to sound the floor, make sure it’s still solid so you won’t fall through.”
“It’s not easy,” he added. “It’s harder than it looks when you’re going into a 1000 degree building. It’s hot. It’s challenging.”
Mike Alt, training officer for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue, has noted in the past that mobile homes, common in the area, burn so quickly that firefighters can easily fall through walls or floors that are burning on the other side.
Mastering these skills and understanding why they are vital, therefore, can save the firefighter’s life.
Nelson shared that she enjoyed the forcible entry training, where they learn to use common firefighting tools like axes and “Halligans” to break into a structure. “They put you against a metal door,” she said. “You use your force and your irons to get in.”
The Halligan Bar mentioned by Nelson is a specialized tool designed by a Fire Department of New York chief named Hugh Halligan in 1948, but now in use throughout the country. FDNY history tells that they found a tool fashioned by bank robbers after a fire. The criminals’ version was superior to the claw tool used by the department, so they adapted it for general use.
Many who come to the camp bring a strong interest in firefighting that encourages them to learn as much as they can, wherever they can. “I prepared for the camp,” shared Nelson, who went on to state that “you run a lot, lift weights, just like any sport you train for.” She added also that preparation includes “know your equipment. Know where it’s located on the truck.”
Physical training before camp can come in handy. Simmons discussed one of his biggest challenges as “going through a burning building, pulling a hose through.” These, of course, are not the hoses used to water flower gardens.
As Lucas DiFalco carefully explained, a gallon of water is eight pounds just by itself. The sheer amount of water plus equipment comes to a significant weight. He added that “there’s probably 150 pounds of force” within the hose. Teamwork is necessary when handling a hose. The weight and sheer force of pressure mean that “you have to have someone back you up.”
Those who attend the camp for three years can receive a Firefighter I certification, which is one of the first steps to serve. Those who have turned 16, but are not yet 18 “can run calls, but not the dangerous stuff out there.” Those in that age group can do much to support operations without directly coming into contact with the fire itself.
“If they’re thinking about joining a department,” related Nelson, “definitely go to the camp, see if it’s something they want to stick with before the department spends a lot of money on them.”
Each of the three recommend the experience to anyone interested in learning more, especially those who aim to join when old enough. “You can get a ton of experience. You can meet a ton of new friends. You get to learn new things you hadn’t done before” stated Simmons.
Simmons earned a special honor given to only one exemplary camper. He earned a full scholarship to cover all costs, including the $550 fee, of attending next year.
Lucas DiFalco urged, “Don’t be nervous. We’re all brothers and sisters. The fire service is a big family. Don’t be nervous. Just do it.”
