London's fire service hopes to attract new young talent with this training program
![071824_FFIT 1 FFIT helps young people get a taste of fire services (Source: Fiona Robertson/CTV News London)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/7/18/071824_ffit-1-1-6969127-1721333805054.jpg)
This week, London’s firefighting is hoping to bring new young people into the mix, with a training camp for women and gender diverse individuals.
The Future Firefighters in Training Program (Camp FITT) looks to acquaint teens with possible career options in fire services – giving them introductory training on dousing car fires, extracting people from vehicle crashes, and CPR.
Firefighter with the city of London Allison Vickerd said that she looks forward to the program every year, “Monday, the crew…is not saying too much and they’re pretty intimidated. By Friday, they just won’t stop talking about their experience here.”
She said that the key to a well rounded fire service, is making sure that everyone has a chance to have a seat at the table, “even the smallest firefighters that bring diversity to the crew have a huge purpose. We all meet the same physical standards, but sometimes we rely on different body types for different tasks.”
Although it’s a week of hard work, and a steep learning curve, many participants embrace the challenge. “I wanted to be a firefighter for a little while now, so Camp FFIT just seemed like an amazing opportunity to get to know the field of work and all of the experiences that people have gone through,” said participant Ava Probost.
Jillian MackIntosh said that after her experiences, she encourages others to sign up, “100 per cent do it. If you’re thinking about it, or you don’t know if you can do it, come out. All the volunteers are super supportive. It’s really an amazing program. They’re all here to help you.”
- with files from CTV News London's Fiona Robertson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6969204.1721335497!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
BREAKING Comedian Bob Newhart, deadpan master of sitcoms and telephone monologues, dies at 94
Bob Newhart, the deadpan accountant-turned-comedian who became one of the most popular TV stars of his time after striking gold with a classic comedy album, has died at 94.
'We had a good run': High-profile Liberal minister quitting cabinet, not running in next election
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has announced he will not run in the next federal election, and will be quitting his cabinet position Friday.
Once defiant, Biden is now 'soul searching' about dropping out of race: Reuters source
U.S. President Joe Biden is taking calls to step aside as the Democratic presidential candidate seriously and multiple Democratic officials think an exit is a matter of time, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
B.C. woman who thought Coldplay concert 'was a date' must pay ex for ticket, tribunal rules
A B.C. woman has been ordered to repay her ex for a ticket to Coldplay's 2023 concert in Vancouver – in a small claims decision that highlights the distinction between gifts and loans under Canadian law.
What is Project 2025? A look at the conservative platform Joe Biden says 'will destroy America'
Its authors call it the U.S. conservative movement's 'mandate for leadership,' designed to guide a potential second term for former U.S. president Donald Trump.
When will the 'Big One' earthquake hit? Scientists weigh in
Researchers say they know the 'Big One' is coming, but when should we expect it? Scientists say predicting when a megathrust earthquake will occur is a guessing game.
Boy who was reported missing from a resort near Disney World found dead in water
A three-year-old boy who was reported missing from a resort near Walt Disney World in central Florida early Thursday was found dead in a body of water on the resort's grounds several hours later, the sheriff's office said.
Driver killed, 8 injured in southern Alberta head-on collision with bus
RCMP say a one person was killed and eight others were injured when a bus and an SUV collided head-on in southern Alberta on Wednesday.
Final hurdle clears for grocery code of conduct as Walmart, Costco sign on
All the major Canadian grocers are now on board for a grocery code of conduct, paving the way for industry guidelines that have been several years in the making.