Clad in matching green shirts, boys and girls battled imaginary fires and rappelled from ropes.
Just before noon yesterday, two teams manned hoses knocking down red cones from windows in a four-story practice building used by Waltham firefighters behind the Central Firestation on Lexington Street.
"It was fun. It was harder than I thought," said Allie Dee, 14, a Waltham resident and member of the city's Leadership Experience Adventure Program. "In this field trip we're meeting the firefighters, rappelling from buildings and ladders."
Waltham firefighter Bob Bergeron of Engine 7 participated in yesterday's exercise. He also got to see his son Jeff Bergeron, 13, learn the finer points of being a firefighter.
"It's fun to watch him do it," Bob said, as his son helped aim a hose at an above head target. "I think he enjoys it. Whenever we have gatherings with some of the (other firefighters) he hears the guys talk about these things and he loves it."
Formerly the Counselors in training program, the LEAP program is for Waltham boys and girls entering the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.
Program participants attend daily workshops to develop leadership skills, teamwork and outdoor survival. Yesterday's exercise with the Waltham Fire Department is one of the highlights.
Amanda Martin heads the leadership program. She leads the youth through the summer program in which eight groups of 15 youths participate in different activities during the day for a one week period.
"Wednesday is our day to go to the Fire Department. It's kind of their way to connect to the community," Martin said. "The kids also go hiking and camping."
The Waltham Fire Department participates in the program on Wednesdays for two months during the summer.
"It's mostly public relations for the city," said Fire Lt. Richard Grant. "It makes the kids aware of how fast fires can spread, but we also pretty much show them what we do in a fire. It's pretty much everything."
Grant said the Waltham Fire Department has participated in the program for about seven years.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbrid@cnc.com.
