Harris County highschoolers experience first live-fire opportunity
HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)— For the first time in Harris County history, high school students were sent directly into a burning building. However, these students had been preparing all semester to keep from going up in flames.
It’s all a part of the high school’s Technical, Agricultural, and Education Program (CTAE) teaching students the basics of being a firefighter.
“I just thought it was going to be a lot scarier than it was, but I thought it was really cool,” junior Addison McCormick shared with WRBL after going through the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Departments burn building.
Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mitt Smith has been teaching this class to students for two years now. Wednesday was the first-time students experienced a live-fire opportunity. While Chief Smith is teaching students best practices, fire behaviors, and how to attack a blaze, he is also recruiting.
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“In Harris County, our fire force is 100% volunteer. What do we want to do? We want to increase our numbers of volunteers because some of our volunteers, some of us are aging,” Chief Smith said. “So again, why not try to recruit younger people into it, and what’s a very easy way to do it? It’s being offered through our school system by our state board of Education as well.”
That’s exactly what happened with senior Nathen Hight.
“For me, it ignited a spark,” Hight said. “This is my probably most favorite thing I’ve ever done before. The experience over here is amazing. This is probably my most favorite thing I’ve ever done before.”
Hight has been volunteering with the Pine Mountain Volunteer Fire Department alongside his dad for more than a year now. He says this course helped advance his knowledge and is getting him one step closer to a career.
“More than likely I will be a firefighter. I just love being in the fire. I love dealing with the fire. I want to help people in any way I can,” Hight shared. “I know for a lot of the calls it’s somebody’s worst day. So just to help them through it kind of gives me a better feeling. It makes me feel like I’ve helped the community in some way.”
At the end of this course, students will be eligible to take the written and practical tests for the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualification (NBQ). This is the minimum test required get a state certification in Georgia.
More from Harris County High School’s CTAE Program
Dec. 15, 2023: Harris County highschoolers wrap up first semester of new, heavy equipment class | WRBL
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