For The Cortez Journal

The Cortez Fire District will again host seven international exchange students and their five chaperones from California on Wednesday, May 27.

This group comes through Cortez every year while visiting Mesa Verde and has made the Cortez Fire Department an annual stop. It all started several years ago when they were in town during a rainstorm and stopped by City Hall to find out what was in Cortez they could visit. Since then, it has become an annual pilgrimage. During their visit, they try on the gear and learn about what it takes to be a firefighter. This year, Cortez Fire plans to perform an extrication demonstration, and, with oversight, they may partake in the exercise.

Last year, Chief Jeff Vandevoorde invited them to stay at the station for the night. They plan to stay a night this year and hang out with firefighters, who plan to prepare dinner for them.