OCEANSIDE, Calif.
The Oceanside, Calif., CVB—aka Visit Oceanside—on San Diego's North Shore, debuted a teambuilding program that allows groups to experience what it's like to be a firefighter.
The firefighter experience is the most recent addition to Visit Oceanside's popular "Hero for a Day" teambuilding program that also includes a Navy Seal-type boot camp and Marine-inspired activities at Camp Pendleton.
Groups participating in the "Firefighter for a Day" program meet at Oceanside's Command Training Center, an advanced fire training facility that is one of only a few in the nation with high-tech video simulator capabilities.
The day's rigorous program includes a simulated fire emergency and hands-on activities such as operating a fire hose, dressing in turnouts and rescuing a victim from a burning building.
Groups start their day in the computer simulator room, where they work together to fight a fire during video simulation. A team of firefighters coaches the attendees and offers advice on how to manage and approach the incident.
"The simulator experience focuses on leadership, trust and accountability," says Oceanside Fire Chief Darryl Hebert. "To resolve the incident successfully, participants must use a variety of tactics including listening, communicating clearly, problem-solving and managing effectively."
Following the simulator experience, teams test their mental and physical strength as they suit up in fire gear and then ride on a fire engine to a burning building. Together they enter a pitch-black building filled with candy smoke and must rely on their senses and accurate directions from teammates to rescue a victim. The day's physical rigors conclude with the excitement of operating, and maintaining control of, a fire hose.
At the end of the day, groups dine on Firehouse Subs and participate in a debriefing that allows them to reflect on how they can apply the team building concepts to their own workplace or organization. The experience concludes with an official "swearing in" ceremony for the group.
In addition to the Firefighter program, groups can currently choose from two other Hero For A Day offerings:
Navy SEAL Bootcamp at the Beach
Staged at North Harbor Beach in Oceanside, active and retired Navy SEALS's create a custom designed environment where teamwork, accomplishment, persistence and new bonds of respect are the natural outcomes.
Instructors guide participants through a course of rigorous challenges that can include team runs along the shore, races over cargo nets, commando crawling under camouflage, log push-ups, wheel barrel races and a series of military-style exercises aimed at pushing physical and mental limitations. Instructors put an emphasis on no team member ever being left behind.
This program isn't just for the ultra-fit. All programs and levels of physical challenge are customized and moderated for each group. Program organizers take into account the group's demographic, the company mission and desired program outcome.
Camp Pendleton Experience
The Camp Pendleton Experience emphasizes honor, code and commitment to excellence and gives participants a glimpse into where U.S. military heroes live, train and exercise.
Several activities on base welcome groups including The Paintball Park, Recreational Shooting, Marine Memorial Golf Course and the recently renovated and completely modern bowling facility Leatherneck Lanes.
Customized group itineraries can also include tours at the historic Ranch House Complex and the Marine Corps Mechanized Museum.
The "Hero" programs range from three to four hours and are available to groups with a minimum of 10 participants.
