YLC Experiences Firefighter Training
Practices CPR, Ropes, Search & Rescue
February 17, 2025 – JEAN ROAD FIRE STATION
On Monday, YLC met to learn about a critical city government function: fire fighting!
Lake Oswego has four fire stations, each operating around the clock to provide emergency help to residents. Assistant Fire Chief Kristine Artman explained that firefighter crews work rotating 24-hour shifts, living and sleeping at their assigned station so they’re ready to go when a call comes in. Calls can be either fire-related or medical: Lake Oswego firefighters are all required to be trained paramedics, which enables them to perform complex life-saving procedures on the scene of the emergency.
After reviewing the basic job of a Lake Oswego firefighter, Artman welcomed Jean Road Fire Station’s B Shift crew: JT Anoushiravani, Battalion Chief; Dan Hires, Lieutenant Paramedic; Keith Youngblood, Firefighter Paramedic; and Micheal Callaway, Firefighter EMT. Alongside Artman, each member of the crew introduced themselves, the role they played in the crew, and how they became a firefighter. As it turned out, every member found the job through a different route, and they encouraged the YLCers to consider whether firefighting might be a viable career for them.
The fire crew then led YLC through a series of practice exercises mimicking what they may encounter on the job. Groups of YLCers rotated between the three stations:
- At the CPR station, Firefighter EMT Callaway taught YLCers proper chest compression technique—arms straight, fingers interlocked, to the beat of The Bee Gees' “Staying Alive”---and fielded questions about his experiences with emergency medicine.
- At the ropes station, Firefighter Paramedic Youngblood hooked YLCers into harnesses and demonstrated the power of a rescue pulley, easily beating four YLCers at tug-of-war after establishing a mechanical advantage.
- Finally, at the search & rescue station, Lieutenant Paramedic Hires handed YLCers a thermal camera and tasked them to navigate through a pitch-black, “smoke-filled” room; at the end of the room, they could locate and rescue a child-size dummy. After completing their rescue, the YLCers greatly enjoyed hiding in the dark and surprising the next set of searchers.
After wrapping up with the practice exercises, YLC regrouped, thanking the firefighters for running such a fun and educational meeting!
The next Youth Leadership Council meeting will take place on March 17th, 2025. For more about the Jean Road Fire Station, please see here; to schedule a free tour of any of Lake Oswego’s fire stations, click here. Applications for the 2025-26 Youth Leadership Council open April 2025; for more information, consult the YLC webpage or follow the YLC Instagram at @loteenlounge