by Geoff Fox
Students at Hancock Middle-Senior High School got an up-close look at first responders’ equipment and how it’s used, and learned more about how to become a firefighter in the area.
Firefighters from Hancock and Little Orleans and EMS from Hancock were at the school on Thursday, May 22, to speak with students about volunteering or becoming a career firefighter or EMS.
Members of the two fire departments showed off different aspects of their equipment and had met prior to the demonstrations to decide who would show what pieces of equipment, said Hancock High School Career Coach Susan Mott, noting it was a team effort.
Those demonstrations were outside – Hancock Fire Department, along with Hancock Rescue Squad, in front of the auditorium and Little Orleans at the gym doors on the side.
As students moved from station to station outside, they heard about the different equipment first responders used at the scene of a fire or vehicle accident.
Students were able to lift equipment, try on fire gear, and use a fire hose during these demonstrations.
Inside, Chandler Fishack, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Recruiter, talked with students about the importance of volunteering in the community.
Mott said Fishack had students help him showing off the gear and putting it on.
“They timed a few of our students from the Fire and Rescue program at the technical high school so they could show that they could put on the equipment in one minute,” Mott said.
They also showed how the breathing apparatus works and talked about how heavy the equipment was, at about 75 pounds.
Fishack also passed out volunteer brochures to students who showed interest in volunteering at local fire and EMS companies.
Mott said many students showed interest in volunteer and about 18 high school students went back to the gym at the end of the presentations asking for brochures.
Four students are already attending or about to attend Tech High’s Fire and Rescue program.
Mott said Greenliegh Howes and Taylor Weller are currently attending the program and Aden Clingerman and Taylor Clingerman have been accepted into the program for next school year.
Both Aden and Taylor Clingerman are already volunteering with Little Orleans where their father, John Clingerman, is the chief. They were also part of the Little Orleans demonstrations.
Mott thanked everyone, from the local firefighters, EMTs and paramedics to the school administration, custodian and teachers for making the event possible.
“The entire school benefitted from this presentation which I hope will build a strong volunteer presence in our community,” she said.
Hancock student Wes Hixon gets some help from Little Orleans firefighter Dan Unger in spraying one of the hoses Little Orleans used in their demonstration at Hancock Middle-Senior High School last Thursday, May 22. The hose was attached to one of the hydrants at the school.
Greenliegh Howes, a Hancock student from Hancock who is currently attending the Fire and Rescue program at Tech High, shows off an air pack during a presentation last Thursday, May 22, and Hancock Middle-Senior High School. Photo courtesy Hancock Middle-Senior High School.
