From The Trussville Tribune Staff Reports
TUSCALOOSA – The Greater Alabama Fire Service Explorers and the Alabama Fire College joined forces October 29-30 to train America’s future firefighters.
Nearly 200 youth ages 14-20 converged on Tuscaloosa to train on various techniques in firefighting and technical rescue. The Birmingham Fire Department brought 11 explorers, the Center Point Fire Department brought 10 explorers and the Trussville Fire Department brought 10 explorers.
Explorers experienced live fire attack, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, vehicle extrication and firefighter survival techniques. There were also presentations on firefighter safety to kick the program off.
“It is the goal to educate our future firefighters of the dangers associated with the profession,” Gene Coleman with the Center Point Fire Department said. “A session on leadership will hopefully build Alabama’s future fire service leaders.”
Explorers were able to learn side by side with experienced firefighters, some of which are previous explorers.
This was the 7th Fire Explorer Weekend in Alabama.