“Their Families Served, Now It’s Their Turn”

The Plymouth Fire Department currently has some heroes in training in the CTE (Career and Technical Education) classes.  These classes are in collaboration with local high schools, including Plymouth, Knox, Argos, LaVille, Triton, and N. Judson. The program is a two-year program beginning in the Junior year of high school for the firefighter’s class, and seniors attend the EMT class.  Students may get into the EMT class after completing a year of the firefighter class or “nursing class”.

The first-year students receive two hazmat, Fire 1, Fire 2 and CPR certifications. The second year is entirely EMT basic certifications.  Not all firefighter class students take the EMT class, but it is highly recommended. 

Lt. Justyn Wade and Darren Miller are instructors for the firefighter’s certification classes.  There are currently 16 students enrolled and this is only the second year for this program. A few of the subjects covered are bioterrorism, extraction, hazmat, firefighter first aid, and many others like what to look for if numerous deceased wildlife are found in the same area.

Students drive from their respective high schools to meet on school days for class during the school year.  They receive 15.5 college credits, a high school grade, and can obtain their certification to become an adult firefighter or paramedic after the two-year class is completed and they pass the certification testing.  They must also pass a physical.  The only cost to students is a required duty uniform that includes duty pants and shoes that can be bought locally. 

Here’s what some of the students said about why they are taking the class:

Riley Ort (LaVille) “I want to be a firefighter like my dad, (Retired Captain South Bend Fire Dept.).  I want to help in emergency calls.”

Camden Garner (Bass Lake), “I grew up with my dad, who is the Director of Starke County EMS, so I know firsthand what it’s like to do this your entire life.  I absolutely 100% plan on being a first responder.”

Ella Dollahan (Knox), “I want to be an MRI Technician, and this is hands on experience that will help me with that.”

John Klinedinst, (Plymouth).  “My cousin, aunt, and uncle are EMT’s, so I plan on being an EMT for the rest of my life.”

Vincent Prater, (Triton), “I want to be a Med Vac, (medical evacuation) EMT.  I want to jump out of helicopters or zip line down to save someone.  My sister is a Kosciusko County dispatcher and my dad, (Officer Prater), is on the Bourbon Police Department.”

If you’re in an emergency, your life or the life of a family member may be saved by one of these outstanding young people who simply want to carry on their family tradition or start a new family tradition of serving our community.  Please thank their parents, cousins, sisters, and any first responders for being such a guiding light to our young people.  Someday, I’m sure to be writing another inspiring story about one of these soon-to-be heroes.

Kudos to family and other first responders for being such great role models to our young people and kudos to all the young folks in our community who want to serve with all they’ve got to protect and help us in our time of need.

To obtain information on the CTE program at your school, contact your school counselor.

For any adults considering becoming volunteers or full-time first responders, training and certification take approximately 6 to 8 months, and a physical must be passed.

Article proved by Robin Myers

Photo by Jennifer Felke | Director of Career and Technical Education