Michala Baker, 11, walks with the heavy air pack on her back while firefighters Cory Sutor, Joe Quirk and Michael Tripician stand by in case she needs a hand.

VENTNOR – Middle school students at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex got to step into the shoes of their local firefighters Wednesday.

At the request of teacher Al Battaglia, members of the Ventnor City Fire Department visited sixth-graders Feb. 15 to help them connect with a story they had been reading, “Smokejumpers” by Elaine Landau.

Capt. Brady Middlesworth and firefighters Joe Quirk, Dan Schall, Cory Sutor and Michael Tripician demonstrated their equipment and answered students’ questions. Sutor and Tripician are Ventnor Middle School alumni.

Middlesworth explained how firefighters use different equipment to battle fires in homes, high-rise buildings and marshy areas – which he said is the closest they get to fighting fires in forests like the smokejumpers students read about.

The firefighters helped students try on their turnout gear and pick up some of the equipment they brought.

Photos by Shaun Smith

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Derrick Horn, 12, holds up “Smokejumpers” by Elaine Landau, the book that inspired teachers to reach out to the local fire department.  

Ventnor City Fire Department Capt. Brady Middlesworth tells students about the features of the equipment worn by firefighter Dan Schall.   Ventnor City Fire Department Capt. Brady Middlesworth tells students about the features of the equipment worn by firefighter Dan Schall.   Firefighter Michael Tripician helps Alex Cruz, 12, try on the turnout gear.   Firefighter Michel Tripician helps Isaac Linsk, 12, try on an air pack.   Mallory Brown, 12, tries on turnout gear with the help of Ventnor City firefighters Joe Quirk and Dan Schall.   Wearing firefighter turnout gear, Mallory Brown, 12, lifts a high-rise pack that weighs about 30 pounds.   Teacher Alison Ricciotti and Conor Campbell, 11, pose for a photo in Ventnor firefighter turnout gear.   Taylor Stabile, 11, and Hassid Fahad, 12, are dressed for duty with the help of firefighters Cory Sutor and Dan Schall.