By FireRescue1 Staff
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A local high school is offering a new fire science program designed to encourage students to enter the fire service.
WFTS reported that Fivay High School is offering the “Fire Science Course,” which includes classroom work, in addition to hands-on training, life-saving skills and practical firefighting skills, such as how to pull a hose and use the firetruck.
“The hardest part [to me] is pulling the hose, because sometimes I can’t get it off because I don’t have the strength,” student Amy Newland said. “I am still working on that, but I’ve already seen improvement since I started the course.”
Pasco County firefighter Mike Sherwin teaches the Fire Science Course with two other instructors and thinks it’s a practical way to introduce students to the field and encourage them to stay local.
“It’s a great jump start for the students and allows them an opportunity to start early,” he said. “For us in the fire department, as a community, we are teaching our young people here and putting them in our workforce.”
After completing the program, students earn their “Fire 1 Certification,” giving them an edge on other graduates after high school.
There are currently 140 students enrolled in the course, which is open to all grade levels. School officials plan to expand the program in the future.