TFD hosts annual Youth Fire Camp

TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Fire Department held its annual Youth Fire Camp on Saturday.

At TFD's annual Youth Fire Camp, students were given a full day to experience the hard work of firefighters.

Ella Dine, a sophomore at Barnsdall High School, said she's been waiting to play out her dream career.

"When I was younger, I always wanted to be a firefighter, and it still is," she said.

Dine said the heat won't stop her from participating in this Tulsa Youth Fire Camp, but her fear of heights might challenge her.

"I don't like heights, but it's a mental game," she said. "That's what they say."

Marcus Flores, a senior from Skiatook High School, said he has family ties in this career field.

"I have an uncle who is in Dallas, Texas, as a firefighter, and he got me onto this, and I have been in love with this ever since," he said.

Blake Sheldon, a junior at Inola High School, enjoyed this program so much last year that he's here to do it again this year.

"I do not regret coming here, it's been a wonderful time," he said.

Anthony Payne is the recruitment officer for the Tulsa Fire Department. He said these 24 students are all between the ages of 14 and 19.

They put a lot of work into just one day.

"Basically, what it is, just one day, we're trying to teach them as much as we can about the fire department to see if it sparks any interest, if they learn something they want to move forward doing," he said.

He said the students are in good hands because they have cadets who are closer to their age guiding them.

Officer Payne says that since this program, they've already hired multiple people to join his department.

After the camp, the students all received a certificate.

The age to apply and become a Tulsa firefighter is now 18. It used to be 21 years old.