History was made at the Indiana State Fairgrounds earlier this year. It was the site of the statewide SkillsUSA competition, and for the first time in the Firefighting Skills section, a young woman, Jayla Huelskamp, came in first among all competitors from across the state.
SkillsUSA and the fire academy program
SkillsUSA is a national organization focused on workforce development for students from middle school through college/post-secondary institutions. Its mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. Toward this goal, the organization hosts local, state and national events, including competitions, targeting a wide variety of career paths. Nearly half a million students are involved in SkillsUSA programs nationwide.
For Huelskamp, who was a senior in high school at the time of competition, firefighting runs in the family: “Growing up, my stepfather had been a volunteer firefighter in my hometown,” she said. “I grew up hearing his stories and watching all the emergency service shows on television, so I knew a little about the service.”
But when Huelskamp got involved with a fire academy program at nearby South Adams High School, she did not expect to be competing at the state level in firefighting knowledge and skills: “The main reason I decided to participate in this competition was purely my teacher’s doing. I really didn’t know much about the competition at all, but he assured me that I would have fun.”
That teacher, Tony Heiser — who has been a volunteer firefighter for over 20 years — has been leading the South Adams Fire Academy for four years. Upon completing the two-year program, students achieve certifications in NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, Firefighter 1 and 2, and Emergency Medical Responder. Once they graduate, they can start working for a fire department immediately, gaining experience to go along with the knowledge they learned in school.
This year was only the second time the team has competed in SkillsUSA for firefighting.
“Our school’s Machine Trade and Auto programs have had great success in the past,” Heiser said. “I went down the year before to watch and was able to help. I was amazed at how all the students from different programs worked together and supported not only their own teammates but all the participants. I knew this was something I wanted to be part of.”
Facing the competition
The two-day competition was tough. The first day involved a written test, donning of gear, and a ropes and knots test. The second day was the physical agility portion, which is similar to the CPAT, including such tasks as blind search, tool carry, hose handling, sledgehammer swings, an obstacle course, and a dummy drag.
Huelskamp, who was among 25 students who qualified from across Indiana to compete for the state title, had the unwavering support of her teammates and coach.
“Mr. Heiser has taught me so much this past year,” she said. “That’s what truly pushed me to give it my all — him believing in me and never telling me that I couldn’t do what I set my mind to.”
Huelskamp also recognized her teammate Joselyn Nino who she described as her “rock, sidekick, best friend and number one support system throughout this whole experience.”
She and her teammates faced the challenges and obstacles together.
“The best part was knowing that in times when I didn’t believe in myself, others did. That’s what pushed me to go to nationals later in the year.”
Her teammate Nino echoed this sentiment: “One thing I’ve learned is that doing this shows you who really believes in you and wants the best for you, and those are the people you want around.”
Building confidence and inspiring others
Heiser commented that the most satisfying part of being involved in this program is seeing how the students change from beginning to end: “Most of them start out with no experience and are scared and nervous, lacking confidence. I get to see them build their experience little by little and their confidence starts to show.”
Both Huelskamp and Nino encourage other young women to get involved in fire service programs. Nino stated: “I love being able to connect with people in the community and be part of helping when and where it’s needed. I’ve also been fortunate to experience opportunities I never imagined, like meeting amazing influencer celebrities in the fire service who inspire other first responders, helping Jayla get a brand-new set of Viking fire gear after making history, and even being invited to Tulsa Metro’s Women on Fire Camp Fierce as a junior leader.”
Huelskamp’s advice to girls considering involvement in the fires service was straightforward: “Don’t be scared or hesitant because you think it’s going to be hard. Frankly everything we do in life is going to be hard. You have to choose your hard. Nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself.”
Both young women are excited about their futures now that high school is behind them. Huelskamp plans to become a residential or commercial electrician and later join a volunteer fire department. Nino plans on enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, and “After my service, I want to become a firefighter-paramedic.”
