A year ago he joined the ranks of the cadets at Copperopolis Fire Protection District and was enrolled in the Bret Harte Fire Tech class, all in the hopes of having an edge when it came time to head to college.
In the fall of 2012 CFPD Chief Kovacs approached him about the Spring 2013 county fire academy and soon thereafter he was approached by his Fire Tech instructor Chief Rosebrook of Altaville-Melones Fire Department to attend the academy. Kurtis was thrilled.
The academy, which began in January and ends June 8th, has been a great experience for Kurtis.
His favorite subject to date has been the auto extrication and live structure burn. His most difficult lesson has been "learning to read the weather on wildland fires, the sun, the clouds and how they affect the fuel moisture and how a fire will burn."
Kurtis says his family has been very supportive as has been Matt Sowell, Paramedic/Engineer at CFPD. "My family backs me 100%."
Kurtis plans on attending Columbia college in the Fall to obtain an associates degree in fire science with plans of making firefighting his career.
by,
Charity Maness
