During Spring Break when most kids were goofing off, 15 courageous Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands teens were testing their strength, resolve and tenacity at our fire department’s third boot camp for aspiring young cadet fire fighters. The camp was held this year at the training facility of the Otter Point Volunteer Fire Department at Sooke and was supported by a number of area fire departments including Salt Spring, Sooke, Metchosin, Langford and Sidney.
PIFR Deputy Chief Mike Dine has been the inspiration and driving force behind this boot camp. The first two years it was held on Pender and this year it moved to the Otter Point facility.
Beyond the physical and mental challenges, the goals of the program are impressive: To help youths reach their potential and understand how they can help their communities; to maximize the strengths each young person possesses through mentorship; to help them overcome fears and face challenges head on; to build foundations based on values, ethics and selflessness; to forge the link between fitness and success; and, to reinforce the power of the team to face challenges.
The cadets at this year’s camp – including Mike Bradley, Alex Johnstone-Breen and Issac Nicholson from Pender – went through five days of arduous training starting with self containedbreathing apparatus training, a fitness challenge, and auto extraction, rope rescue, vehicle fire and structural fire drills. It is important to note that cadets from previous camps have gone on to become volunteer
fire fighters at our department and others.
As in years past, the program this year involved a broad spectrum of community volunteers in support
roles and everyone involved agrees the impact of the boot camp on the attending teens is inspirational. Our goal now is to expand this program to other communities across BC and to
accomplish that the challenge will be to get a financial commitment from government agencies that matches the personal commitment of the many volunteers and trainers that have made this program such a success.
The
Gulf Islands Cadet Camp (2006 video)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMP
CONTACT:
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Dine Pender Island Fire Rescue
