OCR Text |
Show Monday m November 17, 2008 from hopeful firefighters the skills to become an intricate part of the firefighting crew. That is accomplished through extensive hands-on training." Fire recruits' days are far from boring. It starts with an hour of hard-core physical training designed to get them in the best shape to tackle everything that the program has to throw at them. Part of the day is spent in the classroom, learning everything from what to do in a major chemical spill to how to tie a knot. But the real excitement begins when they get to go outside and do what they love to do - play with fire. "Firefighting gives us an outlet for our pyro urges without getting in trouble," said Milne. When asked what his favorite part of the program was, recruit Scott Haney said, "The best part for me is anytime we get to go out and play with fire ... and the highpowered saws and power tools are pretty cool too." The fire program is not the average university class and is not for the faint of heart. It's a heavy-lifting, adrenaline-pumping, sweaty, smoky ride. But like any class on campus, there is homework, tests and a lot of studying. It is also structured with strict rules and even stricter instructors. "I really like the structure and knowing what_ is expected of me. It helps me perform and pushes me to do better," said recruit Jake Dennison. In this case, however, at the end of the semester, recruits are certified firefighters and are prepared to begin working for a fire department. The majority of graduates go on to paramedic school, where 95 percent of graduates go on to get jobs in their field. Many students continue to pursue their degrees while working full-time in a job they love. The Emergency Services department has four different associate's degrees and a bachelor's program that allows firefighters to advance up the career ladder. Courtesy of Andy Byrnes The RCA prepares future firefighters for a career in the fire service. The program requires around 400 hours of classroom and "fireground" training. Courtesy of Andy Byrnes Courtesy of Andy Byrnes Fall Engagement Ring SIGN .com UVU BOOKSTORE (801)863-8641 TOLL FREE (866)507-52^3 STORE HOURS: Mon. - Thur. 7:45 AM - 7:00 PM Fri. 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM Sat 9:00 AM -1:00 PM Sun. CLOSED Visit L'$ Online' 377-3040 |