Seven citizens from Clark County recently spent a day learning about what firefighters do — and how they do it — at East County Fire & Rescue’s annual Citizen’s Basic Fire & EMS Academy.
From the Fern Prairie station near Grove Field in Camas, participants learned about the business aspects of the District, including the role of the agency and its values and goals; annual budget; safety requirements; training requirements, achievements and accreditations; public information and public education; and customer service expectations.
In addition, they rendered emergency medical care to simulated medical patients and victims of traumatic injury and participated in a simulated resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim. They also cut cars apart using auto extrication equipment and, at the end of the day, extinguished ‘live’ fires in those same vehicles.
Bethany Lindberg, one of the Academy participants, said it was a great learning experience.
“The firefighters were very helpful and courteous when it came to us asking questions, showing us how to put out vehicle fires, using the Jaws of Life and even the procedures they go through when approaching an EMS call,” she said. “I would definitely recommend everyone attend the academy.”
ECFR Fire Chief Scott Koehler said the Citizen’s Academy is a great way to both show and tell people what firefighters do.