Do You Want to be a Firefighter for a Weekend?

They carry ridiculous amounts of heavy, bulky equipment into hot, smoky, dangerous places. They go to work at all hours of the day or night. They work in rain, snow, and stifling heat. And they do it for free. Such is the life of a volunteer firefighter.

For the second time in three years, the  is hosting its "Firefighter for a weekend" program on Sept. 15 and 16.

"We’re trying to increase awareness among the residents of Ross township about volunteer firefighting, and perhaps attract new members to any the Ross fire departments," said Eric Wissner, Chief of the Perrysville Volunteer Fire Company.

"The will get to experience firefighting first hand, by going through the drills we go through on training nights, without any obligations."

Wissner said close to 20 people have already signed up, including players and coaches of the North Hills Hockey team, who are using the experience as a team-building event.

"They will go through all sorts of drills, including search and rescue, laddering skills, working a hose line, ventilation, and actually putting out a live fire with an extinguisher," said Wissner.

The trainees will work out of the Perrysville Station, and the old LaRoche buildings off of Cumberland Road in McCandless.

Anyone 16 or older can sign up by click in this link. 

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