In a savvy move for future first responders, the city of Carrollton and its school district are joining forces. Carrollton City Council has greenlit an agreement with Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD), launching a new Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program at Creekview High School. The nod was unanimous back in September 2023, signaling strong community support for the initiative.
"Conversations between CFBISD and CFR staff sought to quickly 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," Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson told the City of Carrollton, Texas.
Turning a large storage area into a state-of-the-art engine bay, Creekview High School will house this program that combines high school and college coursework with professional training. Creekview was selected for its superior facilities within the district. The program's design caters to students' career aspirations, providing rigorous training in the firefighting and emergency medical sectors, alongside their standard curriculum.
"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," Creekview High School Principal Leon Sulak explained in an interview, as per the City of Carrollton, Texas. His sentiment reflects the excitement that this kind of practical, career-focused education can generate among students eager to jump-start their futures fresh out of high school.
CTE programs are known for their emphasis on practical skills and directly transferrable certifications. JoAnn Gillen, CFBISD's Chief of SEL & Postsecondary Readiness and CTE Director, highlighted the program's alignment with the district’s mission to equip students with the skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom. Creekview boasts an impressive lineup of ten different CTE academy disciplines, now including the Fire Academy and EMT program.
Christopher Holterhoff, a CFR Apparatus Operator/Paramedic and Lead Instructor at the Fire Academy, underscored the aim of the academy: prep students for immediate employment post-graduation. "Once signed up for the program, the Fire Academy becomes part of the student’s normal schedule," Holterhoff told the City of Carrollton, Texas. He further detailed the program's ability to cater to juniors and seniors by providing training hours required to earn industry certifications.
Prospects are bright for students who complete the program. Not only do they stand to gain college credits, but they can also become fully certified as Basic Structural Firefighters and EMT-Basics, with starting salaries at Carrollton Fire Rescue beginning at $75,000, scaling up to $96,027 in just five years.
But it's not all about the paycheck. Holterhoff emphasized the program's broader benefits, from personal development to crafting a sense of commitment to the Fire Service's values of excellence. The program promises to shape not just skilled firefighters but also well-rounded individuals ready to serve their communities.
