Students of the Baria Community High School (Baria Independent) learn how to use fire extinguishers as part of the fire science path. Picture presented by the district
Beginning from the academic year of 2025-2026, two additional school fire science courses will be introduced, which will extend the list of career and technical education (CTE) pathways in Kentucky.
Through the CTE, students prepare a prepare to enter post secondary education opportunities and manpower. Attending these routes allows students to work towards industry certification. Students are also eligible to receive dual credit for some courses, which allows them to get high school and college credit simultaneously.
The path to fire science allows students to earn hours at the Kentucky Fire Commission Apprentices I and II certificate. They can also work towards additional certification, including Emergency Medical Response (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Basic I Firefighter and Basic II Firefighters.
The path to fire science is designed to equip students with the need and knowledge necessary to increase their echo in the job services. The route contains four desired courses, and your opportunities and internships are also available to provide students with learning expansion opportunities. Two additional courses in fire science, emergency medical respondents and special titles, are also available to teachers to present a modern skill on the way.
“The hand -on piece is the one that sets the fire science program in addition to the other day education at school,” said Mark Lamster, a fire science instructor at Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County).
He said that experienced experience allows students to reinforce ideas and showcase their skills.
The Fern Creek High School is easily located across the Fern Creek Fire Department, which helps students access personal safety equipment and tools.
Lamster said, “Our students can be our urban leaders.” Someday, we will have the future mayor in our classes who will get a lot of understanding about whether or not our emergency services. This is a great combination of classrooms and hand learning. “
Students from Fire Science Pathway at Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County) learn how to respond to the fire with members of the Fern Crack Fire Department. Picture presented by the district
This program offers students real world experience through many opportunities. In Fern Creek, Fire Science students can visit the Regional Fire Academy run by the Kentucky Fire Commission, to observe the active training of firefighters on how they train in their program courses. Students can also participate in training with industry partners, stairs, ropes, and various training equipment, which is used for an authentic experience, including completing these training in industry grade turnout gear.
The program has flourished since its inception in 2019, when it started with about 40 students. Today, about 200 students participate.
Henderson County High School and Woodford County High School will introduce its programs next fall.
The Handson Fire Department is the chief Josh Dickson industry partner who supports the program at the Henderson County High School. He emphasized that the students are given the opportunity to get a certification till graduating from the high school, and they are allowed to enter the workforce immediately.
“So they will not only have their certificates that they, you know, can be kept here, but they can also serve as firefighters in the county departments in their off -day days,” said Dixon. “It’s really a win for both of us.”
Lieutenant Brent Billings of the Baria Fire Department and the Fire Sciences Instructor at the Baria Community High School (Baria Independent) provided similar insights.
“The main purpose is to confirm the students and provide an understanding of what they need to become a firefighter,” said Billings.
The program has been going on for two years at Lawrence County High School.
Captain Steven Wilburn, Captain of the Louis Fire Department, who oversees the Lawrence County program, also emphasized the importance of certification. They believe that even if students choose not to choose a carrier in firefighting, this certification can benefit them in other career routes.
Zeb Sloven, a senior at Lawrence County High School, joined the program when it started during the junior year.
Sloven said, “Once we are graduated, we may have some experience in fact to make a hand -on staff with the Equield Lace of Working well.”
While taking classes, Sloven has also had the opportunity to volunteer in the local fire department.
Sloven said, “This is just a great program and I’m excited that we can do it in high school. It’s really good.”
Baria Stop, a new man from the Baria Community High School, said he had learned a lot through his program in his school.
“This is not usually repeated,” said Stop. “We’ll do something new every week, and it’s a lot of fun.”
And as Slovens, Stap and other students move through their courses, they are preparing future careers in emergency services, firefighting and public safety.
