Hanson Schmid, a senior next term at the Town of Webb school, recently graduated from the First Annual Junior Firefighter’s Day Camp held June 25 to 29 in Utica.
The training took place at the Utica Fire Academy in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC).
Schmid said the camp included a balance of class work in the morning and hands-on training in the afternoons.
“We did search and rescue inside the Utica Fire Station’s tower, and hose attack lines, ladder operations and physical training.
“It shed more light on the balance of safety, with the balance of working at the task at hand. It’s better going in and knowing what’s going on than going in and not knowing what to do,” he said.
The equipment and trucks used during the training were provided by volunteer companies in Oneida County.
Other junior firefighters taking part were from Vernon Center, Stittville, Boonville Yorkville, Rome, Alder Creek, Mohawk, New Hartford, Taberg and Cassville.
“It was definitely a learning experience,” Schmid said.
A junior firefighter for the last two years, Schmid recently received his Chief’s Award as the most outstanding and outgoing junior firefighter with the Old Forge Fire Department.
After graduation next year, Hanson said he plans to attend MVCC for Fire Science and the Fire Academy as well.
He is the son of Hans and Laurie Schmid of Thendara.
