HALIFAX – Firefighters are often the first ones on scene during an emergency, whether running into a burning building or using the jaws of life to free someone trapped in an accident. Many Maritime firefighters train at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School (NSFS) in Waverley, N.S.
The school is a not-for-profit organization that was started in the 1960s by four Halifax County fire chiefs. Since then, it has become a leader in fire training across the Atlantic Provinces.
The school typically runs one 16-week training program each year. This year, the course began at the end of August and Global News was there to witness the training first hand.
Cristina Amaral, one of the new students, is one of 27 people looking to take on the challenge of becoming a firefighter.
“I’m both excited and nervous, cause I know it’s going to be a challenge but I believe I can do it and I can take it on and I’ve been looking forward to it all year,” she says. At just 19 years old, she’s also one of the youngest there. Despite that, her leadership skills stand out.
“I expected to come in with a big group of guys, and it’s kind of nice to have a few other girls in the class and know there are some younger people there.”
Following some first day jitters, students are given their uniforms and two minutes to change.
“You all were given two minutes to get prepared, I clocked you at 7:14,” says Lynelle Vetsch, one of the instructors at the school, after the exercise. “You all have watches — two minutes is two minutes.”
Each one of the students has their own reason for wanting to take part in the training. For Gerald Parris, it’s been a lifelong dream.
“When I was a little boy, I wanted to do a lot of stuff, but nothing stuck out more than being a firefighter,” he says.
Firefighting might be a first career for most of the students, but that’s not the case for all of them. Marcel West, 33, is one of the oldest students looking to make a career change.
“I’ve always had an interest in firefighting,” he says. “It was something I wanted to do many years ago. When I was 19, my oldest daughter was born, so life took over and I became an accountant.”
Just hours into the first day, students get thrown right into the mix. After some instruction, the group must complete a rigorous workout.
“I realized I don’t like being stuck behind a desk, I like being active,” West says. “I like being physical, and what better career then being a firefighter for that?”
The workout is daunting, but most knew what to expect.
“I’m extremely fit, so I’m looking forward to any physical challenge they throw at me, and I’m sure they’ll excel at it,” says Parris.
For some, the workout was too much — one student dropped out of the program at the end of the first day. The others will continue on, hoping to meet the demanding challenges that lie ahead in the next four months.
Tune in to the Evening News on Global News on Thursday at 6 p.m. Atlantic Time to catch the next part of this story.
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