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Brookhaven firefighter and paramedic Chris Davis passes a roll of hose to a student at Alexander Junior High Wednesday afternoon. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

Brookhaven Firefighter Nick Gamble speaks to a group of students at Alexander Junior High. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader

Brookhaven Fire Department's Training Officer Marlon Dixon shows off a jaws of life tool to students.

David Spray dones his turnout gear to show students what he wears in a fire. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

BROOKHAVEN — Under blue skies, sunshine and a steady breeze, students from Alexander Junior High asked firefighters with Brookhaven Fire Department questions. Marlon Dixon, training officer for Brookhaven Fire Department, started by giving a brief lesson on fire safety.

He asked students what the first thing they needed to do in case there was a fire. One answered “stop, drop and roll.” Dixon told the students the first thing the need to do is call 911, get out of the structure and meet at a pre-designated meeting place like a mailbox.

Nick Gamble then spoke about what one must do to join the Brookhaven Fire Department. Right now, candidates must run a mile and a half in less than 14 minutes, drag a 175 pound rescue dummy 70 feet and advance hose line 70 feet. Once hired, the new firefighters train to pass the MSTAT in order to go to the Mississippi State Fire Academy. The academy is 7 weeks.

Some students were awestruck by Gamble’s height and muscular build. He is six foot, six inches tall.

David Spray suited up in turnout gear so students could see what a fireman wears. One student asked how well does the gear protect a firefighter. Dixon said the gear gives firefighters time to put out the fire and rescue any victims.

Students were able to hold the jaws of life equipment and look at the other tools stored on Brookhaven’s Engine 6 such as the positive pressure fan used to clear smoke out of homes.

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