FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To be archived (CEWD) after July 6, 2009
Is your teen looking for something fun and exciting to do this summer? If you want that “something” to be educational and safe, consider the West Virginia Junior Fire Fighter Camp.
From June 27 through July 2, teens from throughout the United States will come to train at the camp’s high-tech facility: the West Virginia University Extension Service State Fire Academy. The new building is on the 525-acre campus of WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp near Weston in Lewis County.
Under the guidance of WVU Fire Service Extension faculty, boys and girls ages 14 to 17 learn not only firefighting skills but team-building and leadership skills as well. After they finish the training, the youths receive a certificate of completion from the West Virginia State Fire Commission.
Throughout the week, teens practice firefighting techniques when they enter the two-story, 53-foot-long Mobile Structural Fire Trainer. While the unit is safe and controlled by a lead instructor and safety officer, teens “learn by doing” as they apply their new skills during realistic simulations.
The campers also get the chance to practice firefighting skills on the Mobile Aircraft Fire Trainer.
Other lessons taught at camp include CPR and basic first aid, forcible entry, ventilation, and search and rescue. Additional course topics focus on hose evolutions, ground and aerial ladders, portable fire extinguishers, rural water supply, vehicle fires, rope rescue and water rescue.
While the boys and girls who attend the camp will increase their abilities and develop a greater awareness of and appreciation for emergency service operations, WVU Fire Service Extension educators say the teens also will have fun. Since firefighting is a team effort, the teens will be given opportunities to form friendships through sports, swimming and a variety of other activities.
Along with WVU Fire Service Extension, camp sponsors are West Virginia Professional Fire Chiefs Inc., West Virginia State Fire Chief’s Association, Professional Firefighters of West Virginia, West Virginia State Firemen’s Association, West Virginia State Fire Commission and West Virginia Department of Education.
The registration deadline is June 12. The registration fee is $199, which includes lodging and meals. Scholarships are available. For scholarship information, contact Murrey Loflin, WVU Fire Service Extension director, by phone at 304-276-2843 or by e-mail at Murrey.Loflin@mail.wvu.edu.
For registration forms and to learn more about the program, visit the WVU Extension Web site at www.ext.wvu.edu and select the Junior Fire Fighter Camp link under Community Economic and Workforce Development.
—WVU-ES—
CONTACT: Ann Bailey Berry, WVU
Extension Communications
Phone: (304) 293-5691; e-mail: Ann.Berry@mail.wvu.edu
cmw/fsm—5/14/09
Last modified
May 19, 2009
Comments to: Extension Service Web
