The road to becoming a full-fledged volunteer firefighter with Squamish Fire Rescue was pretty linear for Nitin Nand.
First, he completed two consecutive Junior Fire Academy sessions while in high school — in Grades 11 and 12 — and then he applied and got onto the volunteer fire department.
"It is good to be on the team now," Nand told The Chief at the Valleycliffe fire hall on Friday.
He graduated from Squamish Fire Rescue new recruit training in June.
The organizers of the annual Junior Fire Academy are gearing up for the next session, which will be held on April 17 and 18. The academy aims to attract other youth, like Nand, to a future that includes firefighting in Squamish.
"I never thought I would be part of the fire department this quick," Nand said. "I didn't even really think of it before the academy. But once I got some experience from that, right away I knew that I could see myself doing this. That is what made me make my decision."
The academy includes, among other exercises, air pack training on the first day and live-fire training on the second day. New this year is an entanglement exercise.
"We set up a big maze, with wires and stuff and they have to crawl through that blindfolded," said Squamish Fire Rescue's Neil Deo, who spearheaded the first academy six years ago and has organized them every year since.
The two-day course is open to students at Howe Sound Secondary in Grades 10 to 12.
For any student considering attending the academy who are a bit nervous to sign up, Nand has three words: "Just do it."
Interested students can get in touch with Vicki Schenk, the technology education and career programs teacher at Howe Sound Secondary.
This year, the academy is also looking for more corporate sponsorships.
"We have been hitting the same businesses over and over again and since this started, there are so many more businesses that we know would love to jump on board," Deo said, adding donations of $500 are a big help and sponsors get T-shirts, pictures with the kids and can come out to the academy on Saturday to watch the car fire exercise.
Whatever remains of donated funds after the academy is paid for, goes to bursaries.
"We generally pick one or two students who excelled in it to get bursaries," Deo added.
This year marks a change at the helm of the academy.
Deo, who recently was promoted to lieutenant of the volunteer force, is taking a step back from organizing, though he will still be there to help out with the students.
Fellow volunteer firefighters Greg Seaton and Brent Charters have stepped in to organize the academy, which accepts about 10 students each year.
"I think it is a fun idea," Seaton said. "It is just a really good opportunity to reach out and motivate students — it's outreach and recruitment."
Seaton added, though the academy runs for two days, it takes a huge team effort by many Squamish Fire Rescue members behind the scenes for months in advance to co-ordinate — and it is all done on donated firefighter time.
Business owners who want to get involved as a sponsor can contact Emily Tomlinson, Squamish Fire Rescue administrative assistant, at [email protected].
Fast Squamish fire facts
*In the winter, in addition to fires, Squamish Fire Rescue attends many vehicle accidents, medical calls, and fire alarm callouts.
*In the summer, Squamish Fire Rescue members also attend rescues, particularly for injured or stranded rock climbers and mountain bikers.
*Training never ends for Squamish Fire Rescue members. "That is one thing about the fire service, it always leaves a carrot dangling in front of you. It always makes you want to be a better person and go for the next thing," said Deo.
