Increased respect for the danger of fire

Seven students from Tirkandi Inaburra Cultural and Development Centre in Coleambally, NSW recently attended a fire fighting course and now have a better appreciation of how to fight fire.

The 3-day event was run by the NSW Rural Fire Service and taught the Indigenous students critical skills they may need one day.

Logan Johnson, a Year 9 student from Albury High School said he was glad to have experienced the course.

‘I thought it was going to be completely different, but it had a lot of activities in it over the 3 days such as hose handling, CPR and first aid course,’ Logan said.

‘They also made us build fire trucks with Lego’s while using walkie talkies to demonstrate our listening and communication skills and team building.’

Isaac Wilson, a Year 8 student from Deniliquin High School was surprised by the course.

‘I was expecting it to be more theoretical learning, but I am glad that it was outside learning and more practical,’ he said.

The course also taught important life skills, valuable for young men seeking direction and purpose in life.

‘I learned that I can work well in a team, and that I am able to do new things that I might not have thought possible. It made me feel more confident about myself,’ Isaac said.

‘I learned to listen more and how important it can be to work as a team. I think I have more respect for the danger of fire now,’ Logan said.

The young men did the course as part of 10-week Secondary School Cadet Program run by Tirkandi which assists students at risk of disengaging with school.

All of the young men enjoyed the course, especially the hands-on training, and found the 3 days a worthwhile experience.

‘I thought it might be boring but it ended up being really good,’ said Year 8 student Kaleb Curtis from Young High School.

Max Havelka, a Year 10 student from Kooringal High School said, ‘The program was good. I have family involved in the RFS and knew a lot of their methods but it was interesting to see how they train first hand’.

As a reminder of what’s at stake and who we should be grateful for, the last word goes to Waripa Miller, a Year 8 student at Deniliquin High School.

‘My favourite part was refilling the water. We used the water from the dam at Tirkandi to refill the truck and I enjoyed that as I have never previously learnt how to do that before,’ Waripa said.

‘It was good to see what was done during emergencies and where the water actually comes from. The guys who taught us were really good.’