Kids learn to be leaders at Marble Falls Fire Camp
Marble Falls Fire Rescue firefighter Ken Schwake (left) leads a group of middle school students in extinguishing a fire June 20 on the final day of Fire Camp at Shifflett Ranch. Tristan Cearley (right) controls the nozzle, Natalia Rudd stands in the middle of the line and Blake Childress holds the back of the line. Firefighter David Short stands in the background. Staff photo by Jared Fields
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — While short in stature, Zona DuBose was not overlooked.
The eighth-grader earned the role of captain during the week-long Fire Camp conducted by Marble Falls Fire Rescue.
“You’ve got to be loud,” DuBose said of what it takes to be captain. “And you have to be able to give orders without being rude.”
The camp involved the students practicing water rescues, simulating a house fire, landing a helicopter and, on the final day, fighting a real fire.
“That was fun, but it was even hotter because we had to go toward the actual fire,” Natalia Rudd said.
The young firefighters put on fire gear — pants, jackets, gloves and helmets — and first put out a bucket of fuel with a hand-held extinguisher.
Then, the students fought a simulated car fire in teams of three to four.
Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Johnny Caraway said the week’s activities not only provide a good introduction to careers in emergency services but also valuable lessons.
“I hope that, long term, it teaches them some accountability and leadership skills,” Caraway said. “The kids have shown leadership ability this week to step in and do some things and take charge.”
Marble Falls Fire Rescue began the camp in 2012, and Caraway said a high school camp could begin next summer.
jared@thepicayune.com