The annual program at the Atherton Avenue fire station introduces children to the field of firefighting.
A group of cadets meets with a crew of firefighters to learn how to create a fire break at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Novato firefighter Matt Allman shows Catalina Ryan, 9, of Novato how to use a hose at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Novato firefighter Matt Allman works with Bradley Larson, 9, of Novato during a hose exercise at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Novato firefighter Erin Rhoades demonstrates how to breach a wall at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Bradley Larson,, 9, of Novato emerges after climbing through a tight space with tangled wires at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Cyrus Allera, 9, of Novato works next to Marin County firefighter Zak Cordisco while they and others create a fire break at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
A group of cadets head to an exercise at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Madison Rhoades, 12, of Sonora gets instruction from Novato firefighter Erin Rhoades during a wall breach exercise at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
A group of cadets march to their next exercise at the annual "Fire Squirts" camp at Novato Fire Protection District Station 62 in Novato, Calif., on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
The Novato Fire District held firefighting academy for youths this week.
The “Fire Squirts” day camp introduces children 10-14 to all aspects of firefighting. The weeklong camp was held at the fire district’s training facility at Station 62 on Atherton Avenue.
Campers are selected by a consortium of nonprofits and community organizations, including Marin Advocates for Children, Marin Big Brothers Big Sisters, North Marin Community Services and the city parks department.
