Fourteen Burnaby high school students got a chance to try their hand at firefighting last week at the fire department’s third annual youth academy.
The four-day event saw 10 boys and four girls climb ladders, hang off buildings, cut up a car using the Jaws of Life, handle hydrants and hoses, put out fires and learn life-saving skills.
“They get a good slice of the whole firefighter career,” chief training officer Bob Rossignol said.
That slice included helping with a meal for the homeless at Southside Community Church last Wednesday.
“Volunteering is a huge aspect of the fire department,” Rossignol said.