LYNN — The city’s first-ever Youth Fire Academy is being held this summer, with the Fire Department teaming up with school counselors to provide two four-week camps — and a group of teenagers got a chance to experience first-hand what it might be like to respond to a fire on Wednesday morning.
The department has selected 18 local youths between the ages of 15 to 18 to participate in the four-week camps. Those selected have been divided into two groups based on age: a group of 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds to attend in July, and a group of 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds to attend in August.
Fire Chief Stephen L. Archer said that he got the idea for the program while studying for his master’s degree at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., when he heard word of them being hosted by other departments across the country.
“We had easily over 50 applicants for the program,” he said. “We hope that this will open the door to be able to expand the program in the future.”
On Wednesday morning, the group engaged in a full-scale response drill to a simulated kitchen fire on the second floor of a partially condemned building at the end of Sheppard Street, right across from Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. There, teens Adrian Rebolledo, Christian Veira, Ellianny Reyes, Avalyce Baez, and Mea Papazoglou were able to experience everything from climbing ladders to using fire hoses.
Reyes said the simulation experience was a lot of fun, and that she felt ready for work once it was completed, while Rebolledo said it was perfect, considering he has wanted to be a firefighter since third grade.
Inside the house, smoke machines were set up to replicate the experience of an actual fire, with limited visibility. Teens were forced to crawl on their hands and knees to get around. They were also able to experience first-hand what it was like to maneuver in the gear, which adds an estimated 65 pounds to one’s body weight.
Jay Uva, a department safety officer, said there are important precautions to take in case of a fire, including keeping bedroom doors closed at night.
“Fires double in size every 30 seconds,” he said. “It is important to feel the wall with the back of your hand and not your palm because you will be more likely to react accordingly and pull away if you hit a spot that could cause electrocution.”
There were four engines and over a dozen firemen on scene to ensure everything ran smoothly during the drill. Those inside were instructed to yell to alert citizens nearby that it was “just a drill” to avoid spectators.
Atlantic Ambulance Service set up a rehab next to the house so those who went inside the house were able to rehydrate and replenish with water, gatorade, and snacks before re-entering. They also had two ambulances ready in case of an emergency.
Archer said that putting together the program was a collaborative effort between many of the city’s local businesses and organizations.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for all the help in pulling it together,” he said, “I know the students are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I think their families are as well, because of the positive impact this program will have on the lives of these kids.”
Each individual will take two tests: one at the beginning of the program to see how much knowledge they already have about fire safety, and one at the end to see how much they learned over the four-week period. Next year, applicants will have to write a one to two page essay explaining why they feel they will be a good candidate for the program and why they are interested.
During the four weeks, the teens are immersed in the field by partaking in numerous training exercises, including CPR, for which they will become certified, learning to work with ladder trucks, small inflatables, the department boat, and driving ATVs up into the woods to practice going to find an injured patron. They also tour the Lynn Police station to learn how police and firefighters work together on the job.
The Fire Department will host a graduation to honor all of the program participants at City Hall at the end of August.
Rachel Galatis can be reached at [email protected].
