Mahoning tech students put their lessons to the test

CANFIELD

Smoke billowed and flames crackled from the trailer behind Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, offering students real-life experience battling a blaze.

Students in the public safety program at MCCTC and Choffin Career and Technical Center participated Friday in a live burn. Such training is required by Ohio Emergency Medical Services and is a prerequisite for Level 1 firefighter certification.

Tom O’Hara, an Austintown firefighter and MCCTC instructor, said the exercise allows students to see in action the concepts they’ve learned all year.

The students wore the helmets, boots, gear and air tanks that are part of the job.

It’s heavy, said Maria Hames of Canfield, a senior at MCCTC.

“That air pack probably weighs about half my body weight,” she said.

Read more about the event in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.