June 20, 2025
BROOKS, Calif. —A few dozen teenagers are putting newfound strength and skills to the test in a weeklong fire service training academy.
The Yocha Dehe Fire Department’s Youth Fire Academy will wrap up Friday following the cadets, ages 13-17, having spent days learning what it’s like to be firefighters.
Through hands-on drills and work with live fire, an interest in fire service is ignited among the next generation of fire service members.
“Firefighting is not just about work and discipline,” said cadet Colt Johnson. “It’s also about the moral codes and working with people, leadership skills, many different things that you use, not just that you use in the service, but outside the service as well.”
Organizers explain, it’s a healthy alternative to a summer spent with idle time for the teens.
“They’re outside, they’re in nature, connecting with their friends, learning from the firefighters and they usually go home pretty tired,” said John Enea with the Yocha Dehe Fire Department. “The next day in the morning. I’m like ‘How’s everybody feelin’?’ And they’re like, ‘We’re tired!’ So we’re definitely working them pretty good.”
The youth fire academy is in its sixth year and it’s free to all participants.
In the spring, the fire department will put a callout for applicants for the summer program on its social media pages.