Quin Severo
Staff Writer
About 2,500 men, women and children die each year due to fire related incidents. Two Mira Costa students are working to lower this number. Sophomore Ryan May and Senior Khalil Sonko are both following their dreams by enrolling in firefighting programs that will ultimately qualify them to become firefighters.
This year when Ryan May wrote about his dream of becoming a firefighter in English class, his teacher, Cameron Chow, inspired him to follow it. May stated that he has had dreams of becoming a firefighter ever since he was young, but he was always apprehensive about pursuing his passion.
“As a teacher it is humbling to know that you can have that sort of affect on a student,” Chow said. “I do try to inspire students to be their best selves. One of the biggest rewards with teaching is to help kids realize what their passion is and help them be brave enough to pursue it. I try to be an example to my students by showing them that true happiness is when you enjoy what you do and you enjoy your life. You cannot do that by trying to be something that you’re not. Sadly, too many high school students realize this too late.”
The training entails both classroom and outside work. In his first training session, he learned about the basics of Triage, the ability to assess a patient’s wounds and determine the urgency and the best way to treat him or her. The location of the training varies but usually stays local to Manhattan Beach.
“Although the classroom work is boring and can be tedious at times, it is also very useful information to learn and know, and the excitement of the hands on training outways the dullness of the class work,” May said.
May wants to eventually become a fully certified firefighter, after he gets his Emergency Medical Technician license. Having an EMT license certifies someone to respond quickly to emergency situations.
“I am inspired by many members of my family who have gotten their EMT license and gotten involved in the medical industry, such as my grandma, uncle, and my dad,” May said.
May says he wants to become a firefighter because he wants to help others. According to May, being a firefighter will reward him emotionally and physically where it lacks financial reward.
Sonko has been enrolled in the Explorers program since he was sixteen. The Explorers Program was founded to let young people between the ages of 14 and 21 explore career options in the Law Enforcement Field.
“I don’t ever like starting something and not completing it before moving on,” Sonko said. “Ultimately before college, I want to be certified, and in college I will still be engaged in firefighting, but I will just be focusing on my degree and possibly college football. Im going to enjoy these next 4 years before i have to settle down and focus on firefighting and make it my career. Ultimately fire fighting will always be there because the chance to play college football is not always there and the window will close very quickly.”
Sonko and other people who share his interest take leadership courses, career orientations, and also do community service until their 21st birthday when they complete the program. Each post has an advisor who is a firefighter, captain, or engineer that runs the post.
The Explorers program takes place at both the battalion headquarters and battalion fire stations. Sonko trains with his post every other Saturday, but also trains independently during his spare time. He learns skills like accident scene procedures, bomb threat response, and proper equipment usage.
“I am a dedicated Explorer because I spend a lot of my free time at the fire station. It consumes the majority of my time and it’s become a priority in my life,” Sonko said.
Sonko’s ultimate goal is to become a paramedic after he completes college. He is currently working to become a certified explorer before he goes to college.
“After college football I plan on pursuing a firefighting career much more heavily. I will still take EMT courses and stay involved in college, it just won’t be my priority in college”, Sonko said.
In his training, Sonko does a wide variety of hands-on activities to prepare him for a firefighting career. From hose lays to taking pulse, to CPR, to situations involving patients, he is learning everything he needs to know for a future career in firefighting.
“I think it’s rewarding having a profession that constantly gives you the chance to save the life of a stranger,” Sonko said. “In my opinion that’s what life’s about; helping others.”
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