HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH) – High school students from across Kansas and at least three other states had the opportunity to experience real-life fire scenarios and rescues. That chance came with the “Fire Science Field Day” at Hutchinson Community College.
Maize High School senior Jemma Jones, among the students who attended the training in Hutchinson, said she initially wanted to be a veterinarian but found an interest in becoming a firefighter over the summer.
“You know, I looked into it and was like, ‘This is a great way to help the community, help the people around me, and just stay active all the time,” Jones said.
So, when she had the opportunity to get hands-on experience, she took it.
“I thought this would be a great opportunity to see everything that’s going on, talk to a ton of people around here, get to be in gear and see things you get to do in the day-to-day life,” Jones said of attending the Fire Science Field Day.
The training included 60-second drills, testing EMS skills and seeing how a typical fire call goes. The experience is something that Hutchinson Community College Fire Science Coordinator Mike McCandless said helps with the program’s recruiting efforts.
“We’re training the next generation of firefighters. So, I was in fire service for over 22 years, so I’m trying to pass that along,” McCandless said. “Some find out that they don’t like it but the others they’re like, ‘Alright, we’re ready to go”
Jones said her goal is to someday work for the Wichita Fire Department. On Wednesday, she was one of 48 high school students at Fire Science Field Day, a training opportunity that began in 2000 at Hutchinson Community College.
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