Eight local residents completed the first ever Citizen Fire Academy put on by the Merrill Fire Department. Over the past 10 weeks, the students got a hands-on look at the work that firefighters do and the training they go through.
The students go to try their hands at everything from vehicle extrication to working inside a burning building.
“I wanted to know how the fire department worked,” said student John McGuire. “I do a lot of property management and I wanted to get some training on how to help people out.”
Holly Lange said the experience was enlightening.
“I have a lot of friends and family who are volunteer firefighters,” she said. “I wanted to understand better what they go through.”
For McGuire, using the specialized equipment for vehicle extrication was a high point.
“We got hands on with everything,” he said. “It was definitely a good experience.”
“We got use all the big equipment,” Lange added. “It’s heavy.”
By practicing what firefighters do when a fire call comes in, including putting on their turnout gear, Lange got a better appreciation for their fast response times. On a recent house fire, Merrill firefighters were on the scene within just a few minutes of the call.
“They had water on the fire in seven minutes,” Lange said. “Fortunately, we did not have to practice that.”
Cana Laska, who recently moved to the area from Sheboygan, saw the class as a way to get better engaged in her new community. She came away with a greater respect for the work that firefighters do.
“For me the class was about learning how much I didn’t know,” she said.
Citizens should stay clear of fire scenes and let the firefighters do their jobs, she added.
The 10-week course was designed to increase awareness about the Merrill Fire Department with local residents, while increasing fire and safety awareness.
Merrill Fire Chief Dave Savone said the department plans to offer the Citizen Fire Academy on an annual basis and hopes to add another program for high school students who may be interested in fireefighting as a profession.