Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Cadet Finbar Tancraitor had a spring break quite unlike that of his fellow high schoolers. He did get plenty of sunshine and time outside, but not on a sandy beach or at his local park with friends.

Cadet Tancraitor instead practiced forcible entry techniques, learned search and rescue operations, threw ladders, and handled hoses in the Las Vegas heat.

But he has zero regrets. Cadet Tancraitor shared that he developed “an unbelievable number of skills” during his week at the 46th annual California Fire Explorer Academy (CFEA), hosted by the California Fire Explorer Association.

The CFEA has hosted firefighter-hopefuls for more than a decade, providing comprehensive, hands-on fire training exercises for teens pursuing a career in the fire service. After a six-year post-pandemic hiatus, 15 LAFD Cadets and explorers from across the country were thrilled to attend the nationally-recognized Academy.

The week-long experience instilled discipline and focus on day one with guided early morning physical training – a key element to firefighter success. Attendees were split into battalions and squads and established the value of teamwork and communication as they ran drills under the careful watch of a CFEA drill sergeant.

Following the CFEA motto of “safety first,” Cadets spent the second day viewing multiple presentations about the academy’s expectations for how students should carry themselves and approach each activity. After dialing in the basics, the week shifted to the Cadets’ favorite part – practicing real-life scenarios. 

Attendees went on to participate in auto-extrication, wildland firefighting, technical rescues, and more, providing them with realistic experiences that mirrored what they are likely to see in the field.

“Firefighter skills training was one of my favorite days,” Cadet Taincraitor said, citing being able to practice forcible entry and tower rescues as highlights. His battalion built trust and established effective communication, which helped them succeed in each activity.

“Without communication during these operations, we would have left each other in the dust,” he reflected.

LAFD Cadet Neil Kaye had the unique experience of being selected as the captain of his battalion at CFEA this year. “I had the responsibility of supporting six like-minded individuals who all shared this amazing common interest in the fire service,” he shared.

Cadet Kaye was proud to lead his battalion and even more so to work alongside other Los Angeles youth with a desire to protect and give back to the communities that raised them.

CFEA was designed to be a catalyst for those most serious about pursuing a firefighting career, which is why LAFD Youth Programs Director Patricia Arias worked with the LAFD Foundation to help cover registration fees and ensure that LAFD Cadets could attend.

“The Cadet program is the highest tier of the progressive pathway to becoming an LAFD firefighter,” Arias said, adding that Cadets are most likely out of the LAFD’s four youth programs to apply to the LAFD.

She accompanied other LAFD youth program leaders to CFEA, who served as advisors to the Cadets at the Academy. These firefighters volunteer their time throughout the year to empower and uplift the next generation of LAFD firefighters, a worthy cause for the Cadets who expressed gratitude for their LAFD mentors and the Foundation’s support.

“This academy was hard physically and mentally, but pushing through those obstacles helped shape me to be a better person for myself and my community some day,” said LAFD Cadet Odalys Lopez, underscoring her desire to become a firefighter. Her experience as a Cadet bolstered her ability to lead some of the drills at CFEA and engage her skills to help others along the way.

“Thank you to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation,” she added, “for supporting me as a Cadet to have such an unforgettable experience.”

To learn more about the impact of the LAFD Foundation’s support for youth programs, visit https://supportlafd.org/our-work/highlights.html.

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Photo Credit: Patricia Arias, LAFD Captain Dale Smith