Six senior high students from George Elliot spent a fast-paced immersive week in what it is like to be part of a team of skilled first responders. This is the third year the Lake Country Fire Department has coordinated a Junior Firefighter Boot Camp for senior high school students during the first week of spring break.
Day one started with an introduction to Fire Services Academy. First aid and basic life support (including AED and Red Cross CPR training) were a focus during day two, followed by personal protective equipment (PPE), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), firefighter skills and drills, forced entry, auto extrication, and aerial apparatus experience. They were also able to participate in lunch prep during the course.
LCFD Firefighter Alexander Schrenk was happy to again take on the lead roll for the program this year. “I enjoyed further developing the lesson plans and coordinating the Junior Firefighter volunteer assistants and mentors for the group” said Schrenk. “When I went through a program like this, it got me hooked and I hope this will do the same for these students.”
“This training program is so supportive and skill-building – in both firefighting and life skills” said Firefighter boot camp participant Wyatt Mackill after participating in the program in 2025. “I am glad to be a volunteer mentor in the 2026 program after taking the spring break boot camp in previous years. It is my goal to go on to a career in first response.”
"Supporting George Elliot Senior Secondary and developing a program during spring break provides these students with the opportunity to attend a full week of immersive training from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. This experience allows them to dive deep into the fire department culture, fostering both skill development and lasting friendships” said Deputy Fire Chief Kynan O’Rourke. “Fire services are steeped in tradition and with this being our third year running this program, it has paved the way for both the department and the school to continue offering this unique educational opportunity to students and upcoming instructors in Lake Country. We are incredibly proud of our Fire Department members and the unwavering commitment they have to both the community and programs like this. Our spring break boot camp will continue to grow, offering students a meaningful glimpse into the world of emergency services; challenging them, while equipping them with valuable skills that they can carry forward in their careers and life."
Deputy Chief O’Rourke extends a special thank you to the staff and Careers Department at GESS for their ongoing support and collaboration in making the program a success.
For more information contact:
Kynan O’Rourke, Deputy Fire Chief
Lake Country Fire Department
ko’rourke@lakecountry.bc.ca
250-766-2327