Eight Gainesville residents got a firsthand look at what it takes to be a firefighter during Gainesville Fire Rescue’s Second Annual Citizens Fire Academy on Saturday.
The all-day event was held at Gainesville Fire Rescue’s training facility at Fire Station No. 3, 900 NE Waldo Road.
GFR Fire Chief Gene Prince said the goal of the academy was to give citizens a glimpse into a day as a firefighter as well as show them how their tax money is being used.
“It’s important for the citizens to know that we are good stewards of the money they give us to run fire rescue services,” he said.
Donned in fire-retardant gear and protective goggles, citizens participated in four GFR scenarios.
Craig Segebarth, a 25-year-old research technician at the Florida Museum of Natural History, worked with other participants to operate a fire truck and its hoses.
He volunteered to run a fire hose up a four-story training tower.
The hose was more difficult to wield than he expected, Segebarth said.
“The kickback of the hose was similar to a gun,” he said.
Participants also practiced search-and-rescue techniques.
A water vapor machine filled a training center garage with dense gray fog. Participants peered through thermal imaging cameras to simulate how firefighters search for bodies in dense smoke.
The vehicle extrication was the most-anticipated activity of the day.
Joey Gonzalez, a firefighter who worked as an instructor at the event, explained that vehicle extrication is necessary in order to rescue people trapped in cars during accidents.
Firefighters set up two cars to simulate a T-bone-style accident, and participants used chisels to knock out windows as well as hydraulic tools to pry and tear apart the cars’ metal frames. Later, GFR officials held a demonstration on proper fire extinguisher usage.
Vanessa Schlachta, a Gainesville resident and mother of three children, said she found the demonstration useful.
“It was a great refresher course,” she said.
In addition to the hands-on activities, officials also shared stories about their experiences while on the job.
Nick Gonzalez, a firefighter and paramedic at Station No. 1, said his favorite part of his job is helping others.
“Every call is someone’s worst day ever,” he said.
Firefighter Joey Gonzalez, right, teaches Odette Hinson, left, how to operate the Jaws of Life at the Second Annual Citizens Fire Academy held Saturday at the Gainesville Fire Rescue training facility.
