CSI Fire Science students learn what it takes to fight fires

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Idaho needs more firefighters, so much so that it makes the list of in-demand jobs for the state. With more than a hundred annual openings

According to the Workforce Development Council, over a hundred annual openings exist.

One of the places future firefighters can go to learn the necessary skills to enter the field is the College of Southern Idaho’s Fire Science program.

“The first semester is teaching you how to do it,” said Brad Buehler, the lead fire science instructor. “We’re teaching you how to engage these fires and how to do it safely. The second is basically the why. Why do we do this? We understand how we can prevent these in the first place because we can save a lot more lives if we know how to prevent these fires than just engaging them.”

The hands-on program sees students throwing ladders, getting water flowing, searching and rescuing, and understanding firefighting.

Another benefit is the strong relationships with the regional fire stations and the Bureau of Land Management.

That allows students to see first-hand what they will have to deal with in the real world.

“There’s a lot more to fighting fire than most people would think,” said program student Jack Empey. “There’s a lot of aspects to the fire service you don’t even think about. How you go about approaching an accident what you do the different thought processes that you need going into it.”

Each of the twelve students in this year’s program joined with different backgrounds and reasons for joining.

The majority had a lifelong love and desire to enter the field.

Some students say they were surprised by how much research and learning is required, especially regarding new technology and lithium-ion batteries.

“What really shocked me is the newer vehicles,” said Johnathon Kinder, another student. “Some departments have to dig a giant pool or go to someplace where they have a large amount of water, they will submerge that vehicle and it is still on fire like a week later.”

The current group is the first to graduate with their red card, allowing them to start fighting wildland fires immediately.

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