Water fights and relay races may seem like features of any ordinary summer camp, but at Almonesson Fire Company, those activities are used to train the next generation of firefighters. The Almonesson Fire Company began their three-day Fire Camp on Monday, Aug. 4, inviting children to come and learn the basics of firefighting free of charge. The camp hosted 18 campers between the ages of 12 and 15. This is the first year the Fire Company has hosted a camp like this, which is meant to address the shortage of new and younger firefighters in the area. Additionally, fire departments across the country are struggling to meet staffing needs, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. “I want these kids to love firefighting like I love firefighting,” said Andy Cunard, a firefighter at Almonesson Lake Fire Department who taught the campers.
