Yesterday, the firefighters at Station 1 entertained a group of 25 students, for an afternoon that was three parts fun and one part education. The students, who will all be attending David Douglas next year, were first escorted into the Skidmore Conference Room for a thirty minute pep talk from Recruiting Officer Terry Foster. Terry, who is in the middle of the firefighter recruiting season, emphasized the importance of high school education. In order to be employed by PF&R as a firefighter, a high school diploma (or equivalent GED) is required as a minimum so a lot rides on it.  He also educated the students on the exciting things PF&R does besides just fighting fires—the EMT-B training all firefighters get, the Fire Marshal’s Office, arson investigators (cross-trained as police officers, complete with a gun and arresting rights!), marine response, and the trainers down at the training center who help teach every new class of firefighters.

After that, Firefighter Kurt led the students on a tour of the station.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   July 15, 2011 

Follow Portland Fire & Rescue on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube