Lake Country, BC – Twenty-two students from George Elliot Secondary School (GESS) have successfully completed the revitalized Junior Fire Fighter Academy – a partnership between GESS and the Lake Country Fire Department (LCFD).
Over five months, students completed 100 hours of instruction and training, earning the equivalent of a four-credit high school course. Graduates received Canadian Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, BC Wildfire Service S-100 certification, and a GESS/LCFD Junior Fire Academy Completion Certificate.
Delivered primarily at Fire Station 71, the program combined classroom learning with hands-on training in first aid, fire hose deployment, hydrant operations, fireground tactics, vehicle fire suppression, auto extrication, and wildfire mitigation. Students also participated in physical fitness training designed to build strength, endurance, and resilience.
The Academy was supported by nine paid-on-call firefighters, alongside LCFD firefighters and deputy chiefs who contributed their time while maintaining emergency response readiness.
“I’m impressed that we began with 22 students and graduated 22,” said Lead Instructor Sean Sookochoff. “The students showed outstanding commitment and enthusiasm throughout the program.”
“Over the past several months, students demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and commitment,” said GESS teacher and Fire Academy program lead Geoff Bodnar. “Their willingness to learn, support one another, and take on new challenges resulted in remarkable growth. They have gained valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in emergency services and in whatever careers they choose to pursue.”
Special recognition was extended to Deputy Chief Kynan O'Rourke and Lead Instructor Sean Sookochoff for their leadership in developing and delivering the program.
Graduates of the Junior Fire Fighter Academy are now well-positioned to apply for Lake Country Fire Department's annual firefighter recruit training program. LCFD's regular recruit training program, which recently graduated its 15th class, requires approximately 350 hours of training and meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards to prepare recruits for operational firefighting responsibilities.
While the Junior Fire Fighter Academy serves as a pathway for students interested in a firefighting career, its broader goal is to provide local youth with a positive, engaging, and memorable experience.
“The junior program is meant to be fun while providing a genuine firefighter experience,” said Sookochoff. “Whether students choose a career in emergency services or pursue another path entirely, they leave with valuable life skills. For senior high school students considering a future in firefighting, the GESS Junior Fire Academy is an excellent place to begin that journey.”
The Lake Country Fire Department and George Elliot Secondary School congratulate all 22 graduates on their accomplishment and look forward to building on the success of the Academy in future years.
