News
Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education To Offer NYS Division of Homeland Security/Emergency Services-Certified Fire Science Program to
Local High School Students
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Orange-Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) has recently been approved to offer a NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services-certified Fire Science Program to high school students who attend the Fire Science Program in the CTEC Security Careers Academy. The Firefighter I course will be offered to all juniors and seniors and will utilize the Delmar Firefighter's Handbook which follows the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Program. A certificate will be issued to all program completers who meet the certification requirements. This certification will provide a realistic foundation for students serious about taking on the challenges of a career in fire service or any other related profession.
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The Fire Science Program provides local high school students with the opportunity to learn basic firefighting proficiencies and expanded Scene Support Operations along with physical fitness work and hands-on skills. The students also learn teamwork and to be accountable to each other.
The opportunity for high school students to achieve this level of Firefighter I Certification is a first in New York State. The course is also structured to mirror the training offered by the Orange County Training Center. Thanks to the cooperative relationship between Orange-Ulster BOCES instructors/administrators and fire officials in Orange County, the Orange County Training Center will be accessible to the Fire Science students to complete the required progression of courses. The availability of the Training Center will enable students to fulfill the rigorous requirements set forth by New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services and approved by Thomas J. Wutz, Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau, Office of Fire Prevention & Control. Les Greenwood, Fire Protection Specialist in the NYS Office of Fire Prevention & Control, is also supportive of this unique opportunity for BOCES students. He says, “The Office of Fire Prevention & Control's mission is to further the training of the fire service in New York State. With the creation of the BOCES program this effort has been expanded and will help the fire service in the state continue to provide protection in the manner our citizens expect.”
Over the past few years, the CTEC Fire Science Program has expanded and acquired equipment, tools and resources in order to be able to offer a top-quality training program for local high school students. The program's latest acquisition was a 1987 Pierce Arrow Fire Pumper generously donated by the City of Middletown in October 2010. The Fire Science classes are structured similarly to real-world firefighter training, and with the latest tools and techniques, students who attend the CTEC Fire Science Program will emerge prepared and certified to take their next steps into the field of firefighting.
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The City of Middletown donated a 1987 Pierce Arrow Fire Pumper to the CTEC Fire Science Program. Pictured at the dedication ceremony, held in the fall of 2010 are: Front Row (l to r) Fire Science Students Charles, Scott, Tim Finnegan, Ed Davis, Alex Llorens and Nick Myruski. |