By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
As the school resource officer for Plainwell Community Schools, Bob Farris acts as a liaison between the school district and the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.
Being in this position allowed Farris to help facilitate a unique project.
Woodshop students from Plainwell High School recently designed and built a self-extrication wall that members of the Public Safety Department will use for training purposes.
Constructed with materials that are common in a typical home—drywall, wooden studs, electrical wiring, water and plumbing lines—the wall will allow fireman to practice going through a wall with all of their gear.
“The wall will really help the firefighters simulate what it’s like navigating through electric wring, plumbing and water lines and going through a house during a search and rescue operation in a house fire,” Farris said.
The idea for the wall originated during a conversation Farris with Public Safety Department Captain Jeff Welcher in the hallway of the high school.
“(Welcher) asked me about the possibility of getting our woodshop students involved with a project the department had in mind for training,” Farris said. “After that conversation, I spoke to our woodshop teacher, Fred Beachler, here at school and he thought the idea sounded great.”
From there, Farris made a trip to the Plainwell Home Depot.
“The folks at Home Depot have been a great resource and partner for projects here at school,” Farris said. “So, I ran the idea past them and they were excited to be part of it. They immediately told me they would be willing to donate the materials for the project.”
The following week, Farris met Welcher and Lieutenant Ron Farr at Home Depot to load up the materials before transporting them to the high school.
It was then up to the students—working under the guidance of Beachler and Wayne Hayward—to make the project a reality.
“The students designed the wall, took measurements, cut boards and then constructed the wall,” Farris said. “It’s constructed to be reusable with the drywall, plumbing and water lines being replaced after a training session.”
After the wall was finished, a group of Public Safety Department officers/firefighters stopped by the high school to pick it up and express their gratitude.
The group included Public Safety Director Kevin Callahan.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such strong support from our local schools and businesses,” Callahan said. “This tool will significantly enhance our department’s ability to train our firefighters in real-world scenarios, ultimately helping us better protect the community.”
In addition to helping the students hone their woodworking skills and providing the Public Safety Department with a valuable training tool, Farris believes the experience was also important for another reason.
“Some of these students may have never had up-close or personal contact with a police officer before this,” he said. “Or, they may have had a negative experience or have only heard negative experiences.
“I strive in my liaison work to build a trusting relationship with our students. When I have the opportunity to introduce students to our own local police and fire departments like this, it allows these students an opportunity to have a positive experience with them as well.”
