Students at Paint Creek Elementary had 40 new students join them last week.
Even though these students were in the classroom, in the cafeteria and outside during recess like everyone else, they still stood out.
That’s because they were visiting students from the Oakland Fire Academy, based on the Auburn Hills Campus of Oakland Community College.
The 40 cadets, in training to become licensed firefighters, spent time in each grade as part of the school’s fire awareness day.
The program, in which Lake Orion resident and metro area firefighter John Ewing doubles as an instructor, has been in partnership with Lake Orion Schools for eight years.
‘It gives the cadets a chance to get out and interact with children and the public,? Ewing said of the day at Paint Creek.
The 11-week program at OCC consists of drill training and classroom lectures, in addition to the one day of fire prevention at Paint Creek.
‘At the end of the academy, they’ll be certified firefighters,? Ewing said, noting that certification is at levels 1 & 2, which are mandated by the state.
Ewing was one of six instructors that accompanied the cadets to the school.
The cadets explained all the parts of a firefighter’s uniform, what to do if you see a fire and the importance of smoke detectors, among other things, to the elementary classes.
Also on hand was a rig, on loan from the academy, that gave the students a chance to see how everything comes together on the scene of a big blaze.