Student firefighter Jessica Gardiner gets a taste of all things firefighting this week in Oak Bay.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been really interested in firefighting for a few years now and just recently got really curious about real life, how it actually works. I wanted to have a full on, hands-on experience,B次元官网网址� Jessica said. The Grade 12 student shopped around and found Oak Bay willing to create the opportunity for work experience.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have a formal work experience program up to this point,B次元官网网址� said Darren Hughes, deputy fire chief. TheyB次元官网网址檝e created job shadowing opportunities before for a few hours or a half day, but this is a four-day tour.

B次元官网网址淛essicaB次元官网网址檚 here because she took the initiative to apply at several different departments and that was a very good indicator of dedication and true interest,B次元官网网址� Hughes says. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very happy to be able to offer the opportunity, but we do want a student who is seriously interested in having firefighting as a career.B次元官网网址�

March 19 to 22 include a myriad of fire suppression drills.

Oak Bay firefighters and work experience student Jessica reviewing auto extrication in sunny 馃殥鈽赌锔�

B次元官网网址� OakBayFire (@OakBayFireDept)

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been incredible. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of the best experiences IB次元官网网址檝e ever had,B次元官网网址� Gardiner says. B次元官网网址淓ven just walking in the first time just made my jaw drop. Staring at the trucks I felt like a little kid in a candy store.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淒oing the drills, even though it was a bit overwhelming at first, has been really fun and exciting and challenging,B次元官网网址� Jessica said. The challenge is to do every task step by step, quickly and with intent.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to know what youB次元官网网址檙e going to do. ItB次元官网网址檚 a bit challenging physically. Some movements are a bit tricky and youB次元官网网址檝e got to have good technique or it pretty difficult,B次元官网网址� she said.

Halfway through her experience, sheB次元官网网址檚 already confirmed that desire to head into firefighting in the future.

B次元官网网址淭he first moment walking in was the coolest. ThereB次元官网网址檚 nothing like it. Knew I was going to be happy doing this. I think IB次元官网网址檓 already hooked,B次元官网网址� she said.

She also fits into the team, which didnB次元官网网址檛 surprise Hughes, as she came on recommendation from her teacher.

B次元官网网址淛essica, even from her first moment walking into the station and requesting a spot within the department although it would be a good fit with the team and the work environment in just asking her a few basic questions,B次元官网网址� Hughes said. He feels thereB次元官网网址檚 potential to learn about their department from her perspective, as a young woman. Oak Bay has not had a female firefighter.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a competitive industry but Jessica isnB次元官网网址檛 deterred. She plans to take a year, then head for Camosun College for a trades degree before pursuing firefighting training.

The work ethic Hughes saw shows, says .

B次元官网网址淛essicaB次元官网网址檚 working out great, sheB次元官网网址檚 got a lot of enthusiasm,B次元官网网址� says Oak Bay firefighter John Ballantyne. That work included moving lines, gearing up to traverse the five-storey tower and climbing the 75-foot ladder. B次元官网网址淲e have a lot of applicants who have issue with claiming the ladder, so for a student in Grade 12 coming out to do it is awesome. B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 really nice to have her both on the drill court and her enthusiasm around the fire hall.B次元官网网址�