Firefighter Challenge targets future firefighters
The event was held on Saturday.
Oct. 7, 2008
Dennis Rohr, a firefighter with the Columbia Fire Department, helps James Loudenslager aim a hose at the Firefighter Challenge on Saturday. The Challenge, held at the Activity and Recreation Center, was open to the general public and included various stations that helped replicate the experience of being a firefighter.
The Firefighter Challenge was geared toward teenagers and young adults, but Saturday's crowd was mostly made up of eager three-year-olds and their parents.
"We ideally targeted teenagers, people interested in getting into the profession," said Steve Evers, recreation specialist at the Activity and Recreation Center. "But based on the number of little guys we've seen, the event might change a little for next year."
The event, which was held on Saturday, was similar to the Firefighter Challenges that have been on campus in the past.
"We're out here today to let folks know what we do, give them a chance to do some of the different things we do," Columbia firefighter Dennis Rohr said.
A red fire truck was parked on the grass in front of the ARC where the public was welcome to explore the vehicle. A straw maze topped with plywood was meant for people to crawl through and simulate the way firefighters often have to move through burning buildings. The department supplied several uniforms for those who wanted to try and face firefighter-inspired obstacles such as dragging a full-weight dummy or, with the help of a trained firefighter, spray a fire hose at a target.
Although the majority of the future firefighters who did show up might not have been as old as anticipated, there were a couple of teenagers who came to check out the profession.
Crystal Wilhite, 14, came with her friends from Bearfield School, the six of them ranging from ages 11 to 17.
"Some of us are interested in becoming firefighters," Wilhite said. "My friends tried the fire hose and checked out the truck. You can get a good idea of how it is to be a firefighter. I think it's pretty cool."
About 12 members of the Columbia Fire Department came out to help with the event, according to Rohr.
The family-friendly event has been two months in the making, with local schools, church groups and various teen groups all having been sent notices. It was coordinated between the CFD, the ARC and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1055.
The ARC tries to plan family events and events beneficial to the city about once a month. In November, the ARC will host a Pacer Test Challenge to tie in to a classroom activity of local elementary school children. The ARC's location helps bring the public to their events.
"We got a fair amount of people from the farmers' market and families just driving by," Evers said.
For this being the event's first time, the coordinators said they were pleased with the turnout and the enthusiasm from some local children who took on the Firefighter Challenge.
"Everybody's really enjoyed it," Evers said.
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