Nov. 13 girlfriends and wives of students at the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy (UFRA) were invited to watch as their husbands and boyfriends demonstrated what they’ve been up to all semester.
Class is held each day at 7 a.m. at the academy, however the students are expected to be there at 6:15 a.m. to prep the fire trucks and clean gear. Last Friday was no exception. The day started as normal at the academy, but around lunch the girlfriends and wives enjoyed a BBQ while the boys lit a building on fire and demonstrated their knowledge of putting it out.
The program has six groups called “companies” with four men in a company. As students of the program, they are expected to display leadership qualities, discipline, and a strong work ethic.
The students are tested throughout the semester on their physical fitness, comprehensive knowledge and their academic abilities which they displayed as they tore down walls, broke through doors, and exhibited their knowledge of fires behavior towards different elements.
According to UFRA students, discipline is strict at the academy. If they score lower then 80 percent on three tests they are kicked out of the academy.
While the students showed off their skills the instructors hung out with the girls and answered questions. Later the girls were taken on a tour where they were shown the props used in the fire demonstration.
“It was fun because the guys were excited and proud to show us how hard they have been working. We were treated like special guests. I never realized how task oriented it is to put out a fire,” said Emily Jensen, one of the student’s girlfriends.
After the completion of this fall semester the students of UFRA will have completed this program and be qualified firefighter/EMT’s.
