Gadsden Fire Department, schools team up for career tech program for seniors
Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, the Gadsden Fire Department will join forces with Gadsden City High School and Etowah County Schools on a new career tech program: Emergency and Fire Management Services.
The program, according to a news release from the City of Gadsden, targets students who might be interested in becoming first responders in those areas.
It will be offered to seniors, and classes will take place at the Gadsden Fire Training Center, 5121 Airport Road, near the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport.
The goal, according to the release, is to teach students the value of teamwork and making a positive impact in the community, and to turn out career-ready graduates.
Students who complete the program will receive a volunteer firefighter certification through the Alabama Fire College, and can complete a five-week bridge course to receive professional state certification as a Firefighter I.
“I am proud of our fire department leadership for working with schools to inspire students to explore high-impact careers like public safety,” Mayor Craig Ford said in the release.
“With students coming onsite to our training facility and learning what it means to manage fire and emergency services, they will leave with a deeper appreciation for the work these professionals do,” he said. “Some may even realize this career path is a calling they want to pursue after graduation.”
Students can sign up at Google Forms: https://forms.gle/WeAsvb1SvcQ2kgW1A.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: New career tech program in firefighting planned
