Students get chance to be firefighters for a day

There were smiles — and wide eyes of excitement — as 11 female students from the Vernon School District got to try their hand at being a firefighter for a day.

It was part of the third annual event put on by the City of Vernon and Vernon Fire Rescue Services where the grade 10 students got to use fire equipment and go through some firefighting drills under under supervision of firefighters.

During the day-long event, the students learned about specific elements of the job, such as first medical response, HAZMAT, auto extrication, confined space, over-the-bank rope rescue, structural firefighting, urban interface forest firefighting, public education, fire inspection, and fire investigation.

Lieutenant Allyson Reich led the session and says the goal is not to see each participant eventually become a firefighter.

“As long as they can come away from the day with the confidence to pursue whatever they are passionate about, that’s really the goal of today,” Reich told Vernon Matters and other media at a photo op at the city’s downtown fire station on Wednesday.

Reich said the girls are nervous to start the day, but gain confidence as the day goes on.

“It’s great just to see them inspired to try something a little different.”

Reich, who became a firefighter at age 33, is the only female member in the Vernon Fire Department’s more than 100 year history. She plans to retire next year after a 20 year firefighting career, but another female firefighter is being hired by the city in the next recruitment class.

Reich said it’s a “wonderful career for anyone,” women included.

“You can have male nurses, you can have male teachers, you can have female firefighters, it doesn’t matter. You just have to have the right heart for the job, I believe.”

The students who took part in the event had to apply and write a short essay on why they wanted to attend.

Seaton student Allie Westhaver said some wildfires near Killiney Beach on Westside Road got her interested in firefighting as a career.

“There was some really bad forest fires, and I was hoping that maybe one day this could lead me into learning how to fight fires, and defending my neighbourhood,” Westhaver told the media.

Cadie Hayward from Vernon Secondary School, said she first learned about how valuable first responders are after her family got into a bad car accident.

“The firefighters came out and helped us, and it had an effect on me and my siblings, and we all made it out safely.”

Both Westhaver and Hayward said they would consider careers in firefighting.

As to their favourite activity of the day?

“I would say going in the fire truck and using the hose,” Westhaver said.

“I would say that as well, but I’m really excited to go 110 feet up into the air,” Hayward said, referring to going in the fire truck ladder lift.

Once she retires, Lt. Reich plans to become a counsellor helping first responders with issues like post traumatic stress disorder and occupational stress injuries, adding she is just finishing her masters degree in counselling psychology.

“It’s my way to keep helping the people, that help the people.”

Reich, who grew up next door to a volunteer fire chief who got her interested in the career, will be involved in next year’s firefighter for a day student event before she hangs up the hat, but also intends to help out with the initiative in future years.

“School District 22 is excited to collaborate with the Vernon Fire Department again this year to host “Female Firefighter for a Day,” Corinne McWhinney, Principal of Career Programs, vLearn & Academies, said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for students in our district to gain hands on experience in the world of firefighting. This program aims to introduce females to a profession where they are traditionally underrepresented. We are very thankful for Lt. Allyson Reich and her passion to make this event happen. She has proven to be an inspiration and positive role model for our SD22 students.”