Wilmington Fire Department holds first session of its Junior Fire Academy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Fire Department hoping to spark interest in firefighting among some area high school students.

The department is hosting its 4th Annual Junior Fire Academy this week. The academy gives students the chance to learn lifesaving skills like CPR, first aid and how to use a fire extinguisher. They also got to experience firsthand whats its like to be a firefighter by putting on gear, searching for victims and taking a physical agility test.

Topsail high school student Katherine Kraus said while the course is challenging, the experience is rewarding.

“I really liked the search and rescue, I think that was amazing. Just in a dark room, you can barely see, we have blindfolds on to represent like smoke and just trying to find something is extremely hard,” said Kraus.

Wilmington fire says over the past few years, several of the kids who went through the program have eventually applied to become firefighters.