The West Hartford Fire Department once again hosted the Youth Fire Academy this summer.

By Ronni Newton

Those attending the West Hartford Fire Department’s Youth Fire Academy had the opportunity to engage in an immersive program, participating in hands-on activities that included suiting up in turnout gear, learning to navigate a smoky environment, and learning various rescue techniques.

The program, organized by Community Services Officer Andrew Eccles, was led by West Hartford Fire Department instructors. Teens ages 13-17 –with preference given to West Hartford residents – were invited to participate in the weeklong camp that took place at the Newington Fire Tower through an agreement with the Newington Fire Department. West Hartford is in the process of designing a new fire tower to replace the previous structure on Brixton Street that had become unsafe for use.

The 14 campers were a mix of boys and girls, and some had attended the camp previously. They were divided into four different groups, and started their day with workouts focused on team-building and stamina, and other activities included training on how to properly wear firefighter gear and operate specialized equipment, how to handle hose lines, search and rescue, and navigation through tight and smoky environments.

“Every year it’s the same. they come in day one a little shell-shocked, not realizing how much work it takes,” Eccles said. “And then, my favorite part is as the week goes on you can see the teamwork, the camaraderie … they’re all laughing now at lunchtime.” He said he really enjoys watching them become friends by the end of the week.

While some campers may have started the week being a bit tentative, all were fully fired up for their final training exercise and graduation on July 31 – where family members were invited to observe as the groups engaged in a simulation of responding to a reported fire, an activity that started with quickly dressing in proper gear, forcing open a door (actual crowbars and axes were used), charging up the hose with water, climbing to the second floor, and amid a smoky environment putting out the fire and following a maze to locate and rescue a baby that needed to be carried down the stairs in the smoky semi-darkness.

The weather outside was hot and steamy, and the gear certainly added to the heat, but West Hartford Fire Chief Greg Priest provided assurance that the campers were “protected and monitored” throughout their time at the camp, and not actually entering a burning building.

A manikin was used for the baby and the “fire” was controlled through use of a fire attack simulator and smoke machine, but that did not stop the adrenaline from pumping as the teens carried out the simulation weighted down by roughly 80 pounds of clothing and gear. Priest also noted that while the campers wore airpacks and masks to create as authentic as possible environment with the weight and configuration of the equipment, the air pressure was not turned on and masks were not actually needed for breathing by the campers when they entered the fire tower.

It still seemed very realistic to the campers.

“It was believable, amazing,” Priest said of the simulation activity. “Andrew [Eccles] builds a search maze every year and it’s different every year.” The campers also had to learn how to use mechanical advantage to force open the door.

“They experience something that not many people get to experience,” said Eccles. He added that “the teamwork and communication” is the most important thing they learn – and that’s something that can be used in all aspects of their lives. “I guarantee you they have learned a valuable lesson of how to lead, communicate, teamwork.”

“I’m absolutely incredibly proud of all of our instructors that spend the entire year putting this all together. And then very, very pleased and thankful for the parents who are willing to give their children to us and trust them with us, so that they can really get the opportunity for the experience,” Priest said.

This year’s instructors were Troy Shipley, Luis Enriquez, Amanda Gamble, Ryan Gonska, Tim Dibble, Esteban Enriquez, Sean Howard, Derek McDermott, Ryan Shea, Eric Myrick, and Bill Schappert.

The campers complete their week with a sense of accomplishment, said Priest. “Whether or not they choose to become firefighters or not – and we always want them to – but I would say it’s irrelevant, what we want them to do is try a new experience, determine that this is a career or pathway, encourage them, and give them a sense of accomplishment at the end of the week.”

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