Firefighters Host Special Event for Students

Students from across the county gathered at the  on May 6 for a special event. The FLAME (Firefighters Lunch and Mentoring Experience) celebrated another year of helping area students by giving program participants the opportunity to learn about the rigorous training needed to become a firefighter, paramedic or emergency medical technician during a special lunch and day camp.

Battalion chief Eddie Meyers, who founded the program three years ago, said the idea for the program came from his family members.

“My wife, mother and grandmother have all been in education and, with four kids and being involved in everything they do, you start noticing children that either don’t have the support at home or are very good and just don’t get extra recognition,” Meyers said.

The FLAME program is designed to help both groups. Each month, Gwinnett County firefighters visit local schools to have lunch with a group of students. School counselors select students to participate in the program and set requirements the students must meet in order to participate in the mentoring event. During the monthly visits, firefighters provide help and encouragement and serve as a positive role model.

“The whole goal is to have a positive role model in the student’s life to help them succeed,” Meyers said.

The program has clearly made a positive impression on  third grader Jack McCain.

“I would like to be a paramedic,” McCain said. “I could kind of be like a hero, you know, like a superhero trying to save people. I would love to be a paramedic so I could save people.”

Classmate Justin Glover would also like to follow in the footsteps of his mentor.

“If I was a firefighter, I could just save lives,” he said.

During Friday’s FLAME camp, students had the opportunity to observe or participate in drills including repelling, rapid dress, bucket brigade and rope throw. Students also had the opportunity to tour the burn building and use a fire hose to knock down cones. At the end of the event, students enjoyed lunch with the firefighters and received a goodie bag, t-shirt and certificate. 

To learn more about the FLAME program, contact Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services at 678-518-4800 or a school counselor.