Coquitlam’s Junior Firefighter program kicks off its sixth year with local youth spending part of their spring break training to be firefighters.
COQUITLAM, B.C., March 15, 2024 – Coquitlam’s Junior Firefighter program kicks off its sixth year with a dozen local youth spending part of their spring break training to be firefighters.
A Week of Hands-on Training
Junior Firefighters participate in a packed week of activities (March 15 to 22) at the Coquitlam Fire Training Centre, which is the same training space and equipment as regular firefighters. The program gives them a condensed version of typical eight-week basic firefighter training, including familiarity with vehicles and equipment and hands-on experiences with:
- Fire extinguishers
- Ladder climbs, high-angle equipment and rappelling
- Scene assessment
- Basic first aid, CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator
- Hose and nozzle drills
- Auto rescue
- Public service
Offered in partnership with School District 43, the Grade 11 and 12 students are selected through a competitive process. The 2024 application period began in November 2023 and includes a fitness test and personal interview.
The Junior Firefighter Program gives youth who are considering a career in the fire service a chance to experience basic firefighter training, as well as the community goodwill, pride, excitement and camaraderie that come with the job.
The program encourages participation from a diverse range of candidates and is a key part of the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s recruitment and community outreach efforts. Details about the program and a video from 2023 can be found at coquitlam.ca/JuniorFirefighter.
Corporate Sponsors
The 2024 Junior Firefighter program received financial support from the following businesses through the City’s Corporate Partners program:
About the Corporate Partners Program
Launched in 2014, Coquitlam's Corporate Partners program builds relationships with the business community and provides revenue to enhance City events, programs and services. Benefits for corporate partners include direct public exposure, a variety of marketing and engagement opportunities, recognition in print and online, and positive relationships with the community. Partnership packages are customized to meet the partner’s needs. For more details, visit coquitlam.ca/CorporatePartners.
About Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s mission is to provide a range of emergency responses, fire protection and educational programs designed to protect lives and property from the adverse effects of fire, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by people or nature.
Learn more about Coquitlam Fire/Rescue at coquitlam.ca/FireRescue.
Media contact
Scott Young
Fire Chief
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
604-927-6400
firerescue@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.