Aspiring firefighter Jacob Gehringer, of Northampton, tries on brother Andrew Gehringer’s firefighting gear while attending Northampton Fire Department’s junior fire camp, held July 8-12 at Northampton Fire Station, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive. The goal of the camp is to develop an interest in firefighting in younger youths with hopes they will eventually join the fire department’s junior firefighting program. The weeklong camp included hands-on training, field trips and classroom activities in order to show youths what it takes to become a firefighter.

After a training evolution race to see which cadet team got water first to the nozzle, teams get to have some fun and relief from the extreme heat by being able to spray each other with water.

During a classroom session, camp cadets ask department Chaplain Chad Strausbaugh questions. The fire department chaplain, affiliated with First Baptist Church of Allentown, explained he responds to emergency calls to assist members of the department with emotional support and other resources during traumatic situations, which may take a toll on the mental health of emergency personnel.

Closing ceremonies for each day of camp included the lowering and folding of the American flag being performed by Cadet Joey Pinkerton (left), of Northampton, and James Anderson (right), of Bath. Overseeing the closing ceremonies are camp organizer, Barry Frantz (left rear) and Northampton Fire Department Captain Michael Booke (right rear).

Joey Pinkerton, of Northampton, fine tunes his skill with the fire department’s hydraulic rescue tool by attempting to use it to pick up a pingpong ball from atop a traffic cone. The tool may be used to free trapped occupants in a traffic accident or other emergencies.

Zoeliz Vazquez, of Northampton, uses her camp training in an attempt to gently use the hydraulic rescue tool to lift a raw egg; the egg cracked under the strong grip of the tool. Cadets participated in training drills similar to actual firefighters to learn about the delicate and gentle operations of powerful rescue equipment.

Ava Odinyo, of Northampton, advances a hose line and prepares to attach a nozzle during a race to see which team can get water to the nozzle first.PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZ

Northampton Fire Department Captain Michael Booke (right) instructs Joey Pinkerton, of Northampton, during Northampton Fire Department’s junior fire camp, held July 8-12 at the 4 Lerchemiller Drive station. Joey was learning how to connect an attack line to the engine. Also pictured is Jack Brubaker, of Catasauqua, who is helping to move a second fire attack line into place.