Student Volunteers Finish 'Live Burn' Training With Fire Dept.
By Karen Gould

Fuller Cowell (left) and Shelbie Mosley, cadets with the Mackinac Island Fire Department, were presented with certificates Wednesday, January 16, for taking part in propane gas "live burn" training in September at British Landing. The certificates were given to the students by Fire Chief Dennis Bradley.

Shelbie Mosley and Fuller Cowell, cadets with the Mackinac Island Fire Department, took part in "live burn" training to learn how to control propane gas fires. Miss Mosley, a sophomore, and Mr. Cowell, a junior at Mackinac Island Public School, suited up with the Island's volunteer firefighting team in September to earn the certification. Their certificates arrived in January and were presented to them by Island Fire Chief Dennis Bradley.

This marks the first certified training the cadets have taken. The exercise was held at British Landing.

The two students learned about teamwork, said Mr. Cowell, who appreciated the importance of working together for a common goal.

"It was a good experience," he said. "We got to watch the guys do what they do."

Eighteen of the department's 22 members attended the training, said Chief Bradley. The firefighters responded to propane fires from 20-pound to 450-pound tanks. Propane is used by some Island restaurants for cooking and smaller tanks are used in fireplaces in some homes.

During a propane burn, said Chief Bradley, firefighters used a water hose. The water does not put out the fire, rather the water pressure is used to redirect the fire away from the gas valve, allowing crews to reach the valve to turn off the flow of gas feeding the blaze.

"The power," he said, "and the amount of fire that comes out of a cylinder is amazing."

The course consisted of three hours of classroom work and three hours of live fire training. The Michigan Propane Gas Association of Lansing offers the session throughout the state.

Mr. Cowell is a third-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, Jim Cowell, and late grandfather, Ron Cowell. Miss Mosley's interest in the department also comes from her family. Her father, Ben Mosley, is a firefighter and an advanced certified diver.

"It gets you involved in the community," said Miss Mosley, "and it gives you something to do."

Both students also are Civilian Emergency Response Team members. The program trains residents on disaster preparedness and teaches basic response skills including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. As team members, the pair can assist professional responders in an emergency and help when professional responders are not immediately available.

On the Island, those interested in becoming a state certified firefighter can take the class through interactive television provided at the school.

The cadets can take their state certification now, said Mr. Bradley, although they cannot be certified until they are 18 years old. Once a firefighter is state certified, one year is spent on the force in auxiliary services. This provides time for firefighters to adjust to the department, said Chief Bradley, particularly those new to the area, as firefighting departments across the county function differently.

Robert Chambers, a junior at Mackinac Island Public School, also is a cadet firefighter, although he was unable to attend the propane training session.

"They're just great young kids," Chief Bradley said of the three cadets. "They have other stuff to do at their age, and they take time out to volunteer."