career-centered programs
“This is the next step in the already strong relationship between CFBISD and CFR,” Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson said.
“Conversations between CFBISD and CFR staff sought to bridge the school district’s need to offer career-centered programs and the City’s future need to recruit high-quality Carrollton Fire Rescue candidates.”
student Fire Academy
Fire Academy is based on a professional curriculum of Fire Academy and EMT classes through full integration
The desire for both parties, according to Thomson, was to establish a student Fire Academy based on a professional curriculum of Fire Academy and EMT classes through full integration of high school and college coursework plus post-education, and professional training.
CFBISD is drafting plans to transform a large storage area into a full-size engine bay from which the program will eventually operate the academy, including special classroom and office spaces. Creekview High School was chosen for the Fire Academy because it has the best available space in the district.
Fire Academy and EMT Training program
“CFBISD’s Career and Technical Education department develops students who are trained, certified, and hirable,” Creekview High School Principal Leon Sulak said. “The addition of Carrollton Fire Rescue’s Fire Academy and EMT Training program to the school district’s academy lineup of offerings has received an overwhelming response."
"It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to be able to prepare in high school for a career path of choice, be able to learn from one of the best fire departments in the Metroplex, and be allowed to step into a professional position in the Fire Service and give back to their hometown community.”
curriculum
The first freshman class began with 19 students in September 2023 and grew by the end of the semester
The curriculum is a four-year CTE program wherein the first two years offer an introduction to the fire service career pathway and the capstone affords the actual hands-on Firefighter I & II and EMT-Basic academy experience during students’ junior and senior years, Thomson said.
The first freshman class began with 19 students in September 2023 and grew by the end of the semester to more than 45, and all are in their second semester of training.
four-year CTE program
“The emphasis on Career and Technical Education is something that CFBISD has recognized as extremely important,” JoAnn Gillen, CFBISD Chief of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) & Postsecondary Readiness and CTE Director at Creekview said.
“Collaborating with the City of Carrollton to establish a four-year Fire Academy and EMT Training program has been a project the school district has been wanting to see for quite some time and is a wonderful extension to existing CTE offerings at Creekview and across CFBISD.”
hands-on classroom expertise
Students can excel in their personal lives and studies and be enabled to receive professional training
CTE provides students with hands-on classroom instruction, internships, industry-based certifications, and career and technical student organization competitions, along with access to professional networks and careers, that will give them the skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers, Gillen said.
Students can excel in their personal lives and studies and be enabled to receive professional training leading to a career in any of the 10 different academy disciplines offered through CTE.
rewarding, in-demand career
“The Fire Academy presents a sterling opportunity to have a rewarding, in-demand career for students who would struggle with the rising cost of further education,” Christopher Holterhoff, CFR Apparatus Operator/Paramedic and Lead Instructor at the Fire Academy said.
“Once signed up for the program, the Fire Academy becomes part of the student’s normal schedule."
core class
"The core class obligations can be met, while still allowing juniors and seniors in the program to double or triple block the Fire Academy classes."
"This is how the students are given enough training hours during their last two years to qualify for industry-level certifications.”
course completions
According to Holterhoff, students will receive course completions for both Texas Basic EMT and Basic Firefighter
According to Holterhoff, students will receive course completions for both Texas Basic EMT and Basic Firefighter and will be eligible to take the Texas state exam to become fully certified.
Regardless of whether a student passes the state exam, if a student passes the courses as offered, they will receive college credit.
current salary scale
“Once students graduate and pass the state exam, they will be fully certified as both Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Structural Firefighters and Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-Basics,” Holterhoff said.
“This means they will be hirable in many cities directly out of high school. If they want to apply to Carrollton Fire Rescue as a firefighter and are hired by Carrollton, the current salary scale would begin at $75,000 their rookie year, increasing each year until topping out at a $96,027 base salary after only five years of service as a firefighter.”
guidance and planned assistance
The academy will also offer guidance and planned assistance for those who wish to further enhance their chances
Thomson said the academy will also offer guidance and planned assistance for those who wish to further enhance their chances of entering an EMT-Paramedic program which can open even more doors for them.
“The Fire Academy is not only about the career opportunity but also about revealing the students’ deeper character, bringing them further into the culture of excellence expected in the Fire Service,” Holterhoff said.
Creating great firefighters
“Carrollton Fire Rescue is an excellent fire department by any metric. The expectation would be to have that excellence spill over into the Fire Academy and help the students become better in many aspects of their lives. The program is not just about firefighting, it is about growth, mentally and physically.”
Holterhoff said it comes down to helping the students uncover themselves and grow into who they can become if they try, creating great firefighters for the City of Carrollton, and having fun doing so.
