Hewitt-Trussville High School students receive volunteer firefighter certification

By Amalia Kortright, For The Tribune

TRUSSVILLE — The first class of the Hewitt-Trussville High School Fire Fighter Training Program is set to receive their volunteer firefighter certifications. HTHS and the Trussville Fire Department have teamed up for the first time to offer a career technical program for students who are interested in becoming firefighters.

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The students are currently undergoing the Certified Volunteer Firefighter Program through their school. Usually, the program requires that participants are at least 18-years-old, however, the Alabama Fire College agreed to waive that prerequisite in this case.

The eight students were handpicked from a group of applicants based on their physical standing, GPA, attendance and discipline records. They go through a combination of classroom study, drill field practice and training evaluations.

According to their instructor, Lt. Chris Franklin, the students are required to complete 160 hours to receive certification, but this particular course requires almost 400. In addition to basic firefighter training, this course also teaches the basics of emergency medical service.

“Typically, 85 percent of our calls are medical based. Having EMS training makes them a lot more marketable to other fire departments,” said Franklin. “Giving them as much training as possible gives them a better chance.”

They also have the opportunity to shadow the firefighters at the Trussville Fire Department.

Once students receive their volunteer firefighter certification, they will be able to enter a “bridge” recruit school, where they can receive their certification to become a career firefighter.

Assistant Principal Joy Young said she looks forward to what these students will accomplish in the future.

“We hope to see some of our former students as firefighters one day, and I do think it’s great benefit that the Trussville Fire Department have gotten to know some of these guys,” said Young. “What we hope to do is grow some of our own public servants.”