Vernon Students are Firefighters for a Day

You Don’t Know Till You’ve Walked in Their Boots

May 14 2026 - A group of selected high school students from School District 22 recently got the rare chance to walk in the boots of Vernon firefighters.

For two days this spring, students stepped inside Vernon Fire Rescue Services for the annual Firefighter for a Day program.

Students tried on turnout gear and rotated through hands-on stations including medical response, vehicle extrication, structural firefighting, wildland fire operations, and fire prevention, getting a realistic taste of the demands and rewards of emergency services.

Now in its 5th year, the popular program continues to grow. Students must first submit a written application outlining their interest in emergency services and their desire to serve the community. Only selected applicants are chosen.

This year, the program ran over two separate days with smaller groups to give every student more hands-on time and personal attention.

What did the student think? A smile is worth a thousand words

Deputy Fire Chief Alan Hofsink said:

“We’re proud to open our doors to students who are curious about a career in fire services. Firefighting is demanding, team-oriented, and incredibly rewarding. This program gives students a realistic look at the skills, commitment, and resilience required to do this work well.”

The program was originally launched in 2022 by Lt. Allyson Reich, Vernon’s first female professional firefighter, as a girls-only initiative called Female Firefighter for a Day.

The goal was to introduce young women to the firefighting profession, break down barriers, and spark interest in a traditionally male-dominated field.Since then, it has successfully expanded to include all interested students from grades 10 to 12.

Firefighter and program instructor John Doorman added:

“For many students, this is their first opportunity to step into a fire hall and take on real-world challenges. It’s about building confidence, encouraging curiosity, and showing them that there are many meaningful ways to serve their community, whether in the fire service or beyond.”

Vernon Students are Firefighters for a Day