Seniors Take Fire Fighting Course
Photo by Dave Geilenfeldt
“My experiences in the fire intern program have been exciting, enjoyable, and educational.”
“I’ve learned a lot, and even if I don’t pursue a career in fire fighting, it sure has been an exceptional learning experience.”
High school students in West Milwaukee, Wis., made these comments after completing a new semester course in firemanship taught by the West Milwaukee Fire Department.
Designed for a maximum of 15 seniors, the one-credit course enrolled seven in its first year (spring 1978) and 10 for the 1979 spring semester.
Fire Captain James Kargl, who supervises the 87.5 hours of training, said attendance has been perfect and added, “We’ve really been pleased with what the students have accomplished.”
Subjects covered
(‘lasses meet at the fire station from 1:30 to 4 p.m. twice weekly from late January through the end of May. Besides Kargl, instructors include four other fire department officers. The subject matter in 19 classroom sessions includes fire chemistry, ventilation, overhaul, hose and fittings, salvage, fire communications, forcible entry, sprinkler systems, first aid, and rescue. The 15 outdoor hands-on meetings cover aerial and ground ladder work, rope sliding, extrication, use of breathing apparatus, and five sessions handling hose lines and master streams. Students learn to extinguish actual fires by using portable extinguishers and water streams.
The basic format of the course, including tests and text material, was modeled by Kargl after the fire technology curriculum at the Waukesha County Technical Institute. Students use the International Fire Service Training Association Manual 201, “Fire Service Practices for Volunteer Departments,” plus an ARCO civil service exam preparation book containing sample test questions.
At various times, first-year fire fighters due for extra training in a particular subject have been assigned to the fire intern class in that subject. This demonstrated to the high school students that they were getting the same quality of instruction as the career men.
Cost of course
Originally estimated at $500, the 1978 program cost $432.40, including almost $200 for dry chemical powder, $105 for AFFF concentrate, and $100 for recharging CO2 extinguishers. A large industrial firm donated $100 worth of fuel for flammable liquid fires. The fire department was able to obtain two wrecked autos for extrication practice.
That first year, students wore old turnout gear discarded by the fire department. High on the 1979 priority list was some new protective clothing. Another local industry donated enough new coats, helmets, and boots to outfit the entire class and the same gear was available at the station for training sessions of that industry’s own fire brigade personnel.
Is this a course to train new fire fighters?
“Not really,” Kargl replied. “All we’re doing is exposing them to it.”
But one objective is to offer the students a sound career choice. Of the original seven students, two enrolled the following school year in a local college fire technology program and another entered the Navy as a damage control expert.
Also education in safety
Coordinating the program for West Milwaukee High School is Jim Liska, driver and safety education instructor, whose father is in the nearby West Allis Fire Department.
“I got interested in this idea when I was in high school myself,” the younger Liska explained. “For awhile, there was a similar program going on at another school in the area. When I became a teacher myself, I decided to try and get something going here. What we now have is both a career education and a safety education course, giving students an inside look at professional fire fighting and promoting fire safety in general throughout the community.
Because much of the work involves the same physical effort required of fire fighter trainees, the students are carefully selected. Each is interviewed by Liska. Only those showing responsibility and maturity, as well as good physical condition, are enrolled in the course.
A number of details had to he worked out with the fire department. The school board appropriated funds for supplies. It was agreed that students would not be given routine work assignments around the station and that they would not go out on act ual fire runs. However, a recent agreement with the Fire Fighters Union will permit students near the end of the semester to put in a 24-hour duty tour at the station and respond on any alarms.
Mutual respect
“These are serious kids,” Liska pointed out. “A feeling of mutual respect has developed between students and fire fighters.”
There are several examinations during the semester and so far grades have all been average or above. Students have maintained grade point levels of 3 or better (with 4 perfect). This spring, a nearby TV station filmed a special report on the class during an outdoor session on auto extrication.
Said Liska, “Everyone was impressed by the businesslike behavior of the students. There was no goofing off. Everyone acted like a pro.”
One of the 1979 enrollees, Mark Tomczak, was the first high school student ever accepted as an emergency room volunteer aide in the Milwaukee County Medical Complex. His ambition is to become a paramedic. The high school offers a CPR course, and plans to add a fire prevention class as well.
Because West Milwaukee (population 3500) is part of a joint school district with West Allis, two students from West Allis high schools were also accepted in the 1979 fire intern program.
Exam training needed
One weakness that did surface after the first semester was that the students needed more preparation for civil service written examinations. Some took area fire service exams only to find themselves placing far down on eligibility lists, although they knew their firemanship quite well.
“It’s a matter of rapid reading and understanding,” said Kargl. “This is a common problem in the schools today. So it looks like we need to spend more time on this than the one session we now have.”
After completing the course, each student submits his written evaluation.
Those have all supported this statement by Liska in his report on the first year’s work: “It is the feeling of the students who participated in the program, the W’est Milwaukee Fire Department, and West Milwaukee High School, that the course has been successful, has merit, and should be continued. □ □
