1520 NE 192nd Ave, Gresham Oregon 97230

USAR Firefighting STEM Training Day
Hosted in partnership with Gresham Fire & Rescue

The FRIEND Firefighter STEM Camp is a hands-on, career exploration program designed to introduce youth to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) behind modern firefighting and emergency response. In partnership with Gresham Fire & Rescue, this one-day Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) focused training camp provided participants with direct exposure to real-world emergency response techniques used by professional firefighters and rescue teams.

The camp emphasized practical skill-building, teamwork, and problem-solving while allowing participants to learn directly from experienced firefighters and technical rescue professionals. Through immersive training stations, students were introduced to the critical thinking, engineering principles, and life-saving techniques that underpin modern emergency services.

Participants rotated through several specialized stations focused on USAR and emergency medical response skills:

STOP THE BLEED Refresher Training
Students refreshed their life-saving bleeding control skills, learning how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and properly apply tourniquets, wound packing, and pressure techniques. This station reinforced the importance of immediate civilian response during traumatic injuries.

Low Angle Rope Rescue
Participants learned the fundamentals of low-angle rescue systems commonly used in wilderness rescues, vehicle recovery, and uneven terrain incidents. Students practiced rope handling, anchor systems, and safe patient movement while understanding the mechanical advantage systems used by rescue teams.

High Angle Rope Rescue
This station introduced the more advanced rope systems used in vertical rescue environments such as cliffs, buildings, and industrial structures. Students observed and practiced controlled rope operations, belay systems, and safety protocols used during high-risk rescue operations.

Advanced Auto Extrication
Participants experienced one of the most technical aspects of modern firefighting—vehicle rescue. Working alongside firefighters, students learned how emergency crews stabilize vehicles, remove doors, cut roofs, and safely extricate trapped patients using hydraulic rescue tools.

The FRIEND Firefighter STEM Camp gives youth—especially those from rural communities and individuals who may not have traditionally considered firefighting as a career—direct access to mentorship and training from professional firefighters.

By combining STEM education with hands-on emergency response skills, the program helps participants:

• Understand the science and engineering behind firefighting equipment and rescue systems
• Develop teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking skills
• Gain exposure to careers in firefighting, EMS, and public safety
• Build confidence in emergency preparedness and life-saving techniques

Programs like this play an important role in strengthening community resilience while helping build the next generation of emergency responders.

Through partnerships with departments like Gresham Fire & Rescue, the FRIEND Firefighter STEM Camp continues to expand opportunities for youth to explore careers in public safety while learning skills that can save lives in their communities.

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