EVIT Fire Science Academy

Communications drill. Normally the truck is the “eyes and ears” of the incident commander. For this drill the incident commander communicated to their crew what she was seeing in front of her. In the other room the crews followed directions, asked for additional information, and replicated the assembled structure using their own kits. For a little added realism, they were on air, and using gloves during the exercise. It was a fun learning experience for all!

The EVIT Fire Science Program is open to any high school age students who want to pursue a career in the fire service. Here two of our instructors are delivering a presentation to the East Valley Cadets about transitioning into our program. The cadets is a volunteer program for kids under the age of 18 to learn about the fire service and EVIT we welcome them to continue their education with us. Thank you to the East Valley Cadets for allowing us to come speak!

Fireground survival is a key component to this dangerous career. Here at the EVIT Fire Science Program we have multiple training props for our student to practice with. This way in the future if they get caught in a partial collapse or entangled they will have already been through it once before and know the techniques to get through it and not panic. Here you see students navigating our wire trap and low/reduced profile wall breach.

Interview practice Part 3. This year's mock interviews were a big success. Our students got a taste for what they will see when they are out in the world testing and what they need to do to be successful. Thanks to everyone who was involved to make this happen.

Interview practice Part 2. Here you see the volunteers from various valley departments getting instructions on how the mock interviews will go. Big shout out to Mesa, Queen Creek, Boeing Fire Departments, and the East Valley Bomberos along with many others for giving up your day to come out and make our students better.

Interview work Part 1. Incorporated into our curriculum every year is a week of interview practice. We cover everything from how to fill out a resume to how to tie a tie. It culminates in a mock interview with volunteers from various departments. Here is Dr. Wilson speaking to our students before their interviews giving his thoughts and advice.

As our EVIT Fire Science/EMT students are approaching their skills testing they transition from theory and textbook learning to more hands on and skills based learning. Here is Mr. Lisonbee demonstrating a portable suction device to the students. One of the biggest priorities of an EMT in treating a patient is to clear their airway and provide oxygen.

Not all our curriculum is done on the fire ground. Anyone who has ever been through one knows how intimidating a fire interview can be. Here at the EVIT Fire Science Program we invite Captain Brendon Trayner out as a guest speaker. The students are provided a copy of his book "Fire Interview: The Storyteller Method" as part of their EVIT tuition to help prepare them for future interviews.

Fun and Games! Not all teaching has to be boring. Once our first year students understand the basics of hose stream management we put them into a little competition called water soccer. they have to figure out how to maintain direction on a fire stream while moving the hose as a crew at the same time. If they don't the other team is going to win!

Two weeks ago our EVIT Fire Science students had the opportunity to participate in the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department Smoke Detector walk. We had over 40 students show up and create teams to go through the neighborhood to help install smoke detectors as well as explain the importance of fire safety in the home. It was a great day getting out with the crews and public and learning about how fire departments interact with the community.

Sometimes bigger fires require more water. We call these "Big Water Operations". Here you see Mr. Clark working with the first year students on how to setup ground monitors which are remote nozzles that firefighters can setup on a big fire and leave in place after retreating to a safe distance. These nozzles you see here can flow up to 500 gallons per minute and these are the small ones!

Come join us tomorrow at 10am-Noon for a hands on, up close experience in fire science! The EVIT Fire Science Program will be hosting a public event open to all high school students for free. If you've ever had the desire to become a firefighter or learn more about firefighting now is your opportunity! We will have gear to try on, trucks and hoses to spray water, and instructors available to answer any questions you have.