Leadership Academy

Firefighters host expanded fire training program for student leaders

The Boulder Fire Department will host the Leadership Fire Academy for University of Colorado at Boulder student leaders from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at the University of Colorado. 

 The Leadership Academy will train 28 student leaders from sororities, fraternities, student government and other influential student organizations in hopes of giving them life-saving information to share with their peers. 

These students will learn the importance of evacuation strategies, fire behavior in structures, how to properly use a fire extinguisher, and familiarity with search and rescue techniques used by firefighters.

This knowledge will help them understand the importance of: keeping exits and egress paths clear in their houses, fire prevention, especially during social events, and the need for fast evacuation for all fire alarms – anytime, anywhere.

During Saturday’s academy, students will be assigned to work in a “fire crew” that will be placed in situations that require teamwork and cooperation in order to overcome simulated fire emergencies. 

The crews will rotate through various activities including:

• a five-story evacuation simulation
• a hose station requiring them to connect a hose to a hydrant
• pull hose from a truck and charge a water line
• fire extinguisher use
• a search and rescue station where students will retrieve a rescue mannequin from a building while wearing full firefighting gear.

Student leaders will be required to undergo an application process that includes questions about why they are the best representative of their organization and how they plan to share what they learn with others. Student organizations pay a $200 sponsorship fee for each participant to cover equipment and other costs associated with the training.

This program is a joint venture of Boulder Fire Rescue Safety Education and CU’s Office of Student Affairs. It represents an ongoing collaboration between city and university leaders on important safety issues.

For more information, contact Kim Scott, Boulder’s Fire Safety Education Coordinator, at 303-441-4355.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 July 2012 08:03