Fifth annual FCA begins Published Dec. 1, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Twenty cadets began learning about firefighting during the two-week Firefighter Cadet Academy, which began here Monday. The fifth annual event took place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and today and continues on the same days next week. Although the Vance Fire Department was initially unsure the program would be successful, it continues to grow each year. "I assumed kids would be too busy doing other things during their summer break from school and wouldn't want to take up their time doing this," said Eric Smith, Vance Fire Department assistant chief. "But they tell us they have fun getting to do the hands-on subjects such as using fire extinguishers on a small, live fire and the smoked-up house." The academy was created to give participants an idea of what is involved in being a firefighter, Mr. Smith said. The 10- to 16-year-old participants receive classroom and hands-on training in personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus; the fire hose, fire streams and fire control; fire behavior and ground communication; fire prevention and portable fire extinguishers; rescue techniques; first aid and CPR; escaping a smoke-filled home and a demonstration of rescue tools such as the Jaws of Life. They also learn the quieter side of firefighting, such as cleaning the station and trucks. "My favorite part was the fire extinguisher training," said Emily Suttles, age 10. "I know how to use one now." The class is also important because it teaches life-saving techniques the cadets could use to help someone in an emergency. "If they are able to save one life, to us it's worth the time and effort of the program," Mr. Smith said. "Of course, we also hope that some kids will be interested enough to maybe become a firefighter themselves some day," Mr. Smith added.