DETROIT — A new program allows high school students to shadow Detroit firefighters and EMTs and receive basic training before they graduate.
Fox2Detroit.com reported 10 students at Cody High School are taking part in the program.
“They will graduate from high school and have their firefighter certification,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “That gives them a huge leg up.”
The pilot program shows the students what day-to-day life as a first responder is like. The 10 students in the program will spend the night working in a firehouse to get hands-on firefighter training.
“If we get an emergency call, they’ll get to put on their gear just like the firefighters. They’ll get on the rig, they’ll ride on the rig and they’ll go and observe the fire scene,” said Lt. Jamal Mickles, who is an instructor in the program.
For some of the students, the experience has been eye-opening.
“It’s so exciting,” said Cortez Wilform, a senior in the program. “It makes me want to do it more and more. I can’t wait to become (a firefighter).”