WFX-Fit Test (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

JUNIOR FIREFIGHTING

Kamloops students experience BC Wildfire training standards at junior fire crew program

Apr 26, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The next generation of BC Wildfire (BCWS) firefighters were able to get a taste of what their future may hold this week. Seventeen students from across School District 73 in Grades 11 and 12 attended the junior fire event at the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Every single BCWS firefighter is required to complete the WFX-Fit test in under 14:30 minutes. While juniors are given a few more minutes to hit a benchmark pace, the exercise provides full test of athleticism, stamina and determination.

“This is a great learning program as a step forward so for next year when I apply for this organization, I’ll have something good on my resume and some good training on by back,” said Brendon Johnson, Grade 12 student at South Kamloops Secondary.

The out-of-breath, wobbly-legged students from across the district all agreed it was the hardest physical test of their lives. For Sahali’s Sarah Finch, she crossed the line with one second to spare on the BCWS standard (14:29).

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“It wasn’t my favourite thing I’ve ever done. Doing it sucked really bad, actually,” joked Finch. “But now that it’s done, I’m happy.”

The junior program gives the students a chance to experience what being a wildfire crew member would be like on the fire line around B.C. — and the program has proven to be a successful stepping stone.

“We do get people who have done the junior workshops in the past, and they apply the following year and they are pretty good firefighters. We get really good retention,” said Marika Van Der Pol, initial attack crew supervisor with BCWS. “There are some people further up in the ranks at BC Wildfire who used to be juniors. It’s really great exposure for us.”

While a common thread between the students was the expected history of sports and activity, they also shared a want to help the province they call home after witnessing the devastation of recent fires around Kamloops.

“I’ve always been a really active kid. I’m not super competitive, but I’ve always liked finding ways to be active. I kind of saw firefighting as some way to do something good and get really active doing it,” said Haley Hildebrand, Grade 12 student at Westsyde Secondary. “You are outside and I’ve always been pretty outdoorsy. I think I want to get into environmental science, so it ties in pretty well,”

“Every summer, it just (seems like) Kamloops is filled with smoke and I like to be outside having fun, and it just gets ruined. (This is) an opportunity to get more knowledge on it and maybe work for it later and make a difference for kids later,” added Noah Henson, Grade 12 South Kam student.

While still with a few more months of high school left, many of the students hope to join BCWS in the field in the years ahead.

“Inspiring to think that I can become something like that. Firefighting is a crazy kind of job. It’s just cool to see other people being able to do it and I could in my future too,” said Hildebrand.

“Being outdoors and helping nature is really important to me. I took this program as a way to join into that and hopeful get some work opportunities out of it,” said Johnson.