VIDEO: For the past nine weeks, teens from the Sacramento area have been learning what it takes to become a firefighter.
The Sacramento Regional Firefighter Youth Academy offers a program that provides life guidance and career exploration for at-risk high schoolers.
“We characterize ‘at risk’ as being youth who might have academic, social or economic challenges in their life, and we just want to make sure that we can be a resource and that we can provide opportunities for youth to be successful in life,” said Byron Berhel, a retired fire captain who is now the CEO for Solutions for At Risk Youth. “We know they have what it takes. They just need a little push in the right direction, a little guidance.”
Students, decked out in full fire gear, showed off their new skills Saturday, performing ground activities with fire engines, trucks and tools.
The fire academy is a partnership between Solutions For At Risk Youth, Sacramento-region fire departments, community-based organizations and school districts.