The Alpha crew needed no assistance rolling out the pumper hoses during the Fire Safety School Graduation, June 1, at the Port Elgin Firehall.

Hub Staff

Extraction, evacuations and emergency response procedures were just a sliver of knowledge that the Saugeen Shores Junior Firefighters learned during their six-week course with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, which culminated with a graduation ceremony, June 1.

Graduating groups Alpha, Bravo, Delta and Charlie, consisting of children ages 9 to 11, performed their newly developed skills with the assistance of local firefighters in front of friends and family members in attendance. The firefighters had taught lessons throughout the six-week course.

“It’s kind of awesome what the firefighters do for us,” said Alan Ripley, age 11, of Delta crew during the graduation ceremony, June 1.

“We learned how to stay safe during a fire, how to put out a fire and how to become a real firefighter,” said Ripley, who admitted he is interested in being a firefighter when he grows up. He said that he's been telling friends and family things he's learned, like “never put out a kitchen fire with water”.

Alpha member Ella Marshall can impress her firefighter father with the fire knowledge she has acquired. “We showed our parents how to use hoses and about the pumper trucks and the Southampton Water Plant,” said Marshall, who added that the group also learned how to use a hose, how to roll it up and how to use a fire extinguisher.

Saugeen Shores Fire Chief, Phil Eagleson said that the program is fun but that it comes with a hidden message, and that is that fire is something to be respected.

“[Fire’s] scary, but it’s not to be scared of. If you respect it and you're safe in your home and there’s a lot that you can do to be safe and protect yourself. So that’s the message that they really take home, a respect for fire,” said the Chief.

Approximately 30 instructors took part in the six-week training course, that included an introduction night where Junior Firefighters toured the Fire Hall and looked through the pumper trucks. Each student was fitted with helmets and fire resistant jackets, sponsored by local businesses.

Four modules proceeded the introduction night that had the Junior Firefighters learning about different experiences, with the auto accident course being a fan favourite.

“We’ve expanded our first aid program and some kids will be right into that. The pumpers are always a favourite. They get to ride in the truck and tour the water plant, and spray with the big hoses. We don't have any modifying equipment for them so they have to do the heavy lifting. And we introduced a (mobile) Safety House two years ago and it’s become a favourite too,” Eagleson said.

Next spring Firefighters will tour schools to teach children about fire prevention and offer an opportunity to sign up for the course.

Grace Rooyakkers (left) was instructed how to use a fire extinguisher by older sister Faith during the Fire Safety School Graduation, June 1.

The Alpha crew hit every target while using the heavy pumper hoses.

Oh the left, Fire Chief Phil Eagleson presented a certificate and shook hands with every Junior Firefighter graduate, during the graduation ceremony, June 1, at the Port Elgin Firehall. On the right, Delta crew members and their families evacuated the Safety House unharmed while it filled with smoke and simulated a real fire, June 1, at the Port Elgin Firehall. 

The proud graduating Delta crew at the ceremony.