Student first responders participate in search and rescue exercise

Students in the Webutuck first responders club participated April 14 in a search and rescue mission to build their emergency response drills. The students learned the importance of teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills in emergency situations.

Club members put on their heavy fire gear, including a tank of oxygen. They crawled and searched with low visibility through a 288-square foot mock residential structure constructed by Aaron Howard’s residential structures classes. The structure simulated a real home environment with multiple rooms and furniture.

The students entered the structure in pairs and were looking for bodies.

“What I learned is the skill of being with a partner and to stick with that person, and communication in low visibility is a very big thing,” said Jayden Milton, a sophomore and junior firefighter in Sharon, Conn. Junior firefighters are not permitted to enter a burning building until they become firefighters at the age of 18.

“Communication is quite important because the rule is you always want to be with someone in case the emergency gets worse. In my drill, my partner and I could have talked a little more than what we were, and it definitely helped when we were communicating to understand where we were and what direction we needed to go.”

The students were supported by eight firefighters, representing the Millerton, Amenia and Wassaic fire departments.

“We’re in different departments, so we could learn from people in the other departments,” said Nathan Monty, a sophomore and junior firefighter in Wassaic.

Howard, a teacher in the intermediate and high schools, started the first responders club during the 2024-2025 school year. The club offers students the opportunity to explore careers in fire service, law enforcement and emergency medical services.

“This type of hands-on training is invaluable for our students,” said Aaron Howard, adviser of the first responder club. “It allows them to apply what they’ve learned in a realistic setting while working alongside experienced first responders from our community.”

Milton and Monty shared what they enjoy about being junior firefighters.

“I like the aspect and feel of knowing I was there and knowing that I helped someone’s bad day go a little better,” said Milton.

Monty added, “I want to help people and the community.”