Class offers students head start on career

Modern-day heroes do not wear capes and masks, but instead don police badges and firefighter helmets. Children often say they want to grow up to be one of these heroes, but lack of information and training steers them in another direction.

PHS is offering a new class to help better prepare students who want to go into the fire service.

Jason “Dutch” Parks, Paoli Fire Chief, will be teaching a fire science class for two periods a day, giving the students in the class four high school credits, along with six college credit hours.

“The credits the students earn in the class will transfer over to any college with them,” said guidance counselor Brandon Crowder.

The class certifies successful students with Basic Fire Fighter curriculum and Fire Fighter 1 and 2. Students will also receive hands-on training with the fire truck, tools and equipment.

“The goal is to teach students about the fire services and the responsibilities which come with fire service knowledge,” said Parks. Parks has been a fire fighter himself for 16 years.

Parks wants the students to learn about the proper fire safety techniques and be safe and effective in the fire services.

Seniors Evan Marshall and Ben Bosley are already serving as volunteer fighters at Paoli Fire. Homeschooled student, Corbin Tye, is also serving as a volunteer fire fighter on Rural District 2.

Marshall has been a junior cadet firefighter for three years.  He now has been promoted to an official member of the Paoli Fire Department. After High School, Marshall plans to go the college for fire science.

“I like having a second family away from home and knowing there will always be someone to have my back,” said Marshall.

Bosley has also become an official member of the Paoli Fire Department. Bosley is thinking about going to college for something related to firefighting. So far, from learning the basics, he is eager to learn more about firefighting.

“I like being about to help people,” says Bosley.

The class has a unique student, Corbin Tye, who not only is a firefighter for Orange County Rural District II, but he is also homeschooled. He only comes to PHS for the fire class.

“The class has given me a better understanding of the equipment and the procedures of the fire department,” said Tye.

The class does have a few female students, one including junior Kensie Milner, who plans to use the knowledge from this class in her pursuit of a career in the Marine Corps.

“I hope it will help me gain knowledge before I go to boot camp and it will help me throughout the service.”

This new class looks to prepare students as the modern day heroes with helmets and fire hoses, no capes necessary.

Story by Caitlyn Cornwell
Photo by Morgan Babcock