Kofa vocational fire students visit the Hall of Flame
Kofa High School’s vocational fire service students got a chance to explore the history of their future profession.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, eleven members of the program visited the Hall of Flame Fire Museum in Phoenix. During the trip students received a guided tour by an avid fire historian that provided detailed stories and explanations for the equipment housed in the facility. The museum has the largest collection of early fire equipment and historical fire memorabilia in the nation.
Students followed fire advancements from the first fire siphons and ladder trucks to present day equipment. They were also able to observe equipment such as the Granite Mountain truck, and an apparatus used to respond to the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City.
“The fire museum brought to life many of the projects and concepts students learned over the past two years,” Kofa fire service instructor D’Arcy Carll said.
Students are enrolled in fire science through Yuma Union High School District’s Career & Technical Education program. During the two-year program, students prepare for employment in the firefighting field and learn how to help protect, educate and serve the public; gain experience through various hands-on training skills including live fire training, search and rescue, high rise tower drills, and the operation and fire apparatus and equipment used by local academies in the ICE program; use firefighting vehicles, hoses, Jaws of Life, saws, axes, and rope rescue equipment; and more. Following completion of the second year of the program, students earn First Aid, CPR and AED certification as well as become a certified Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responder.