Three Springfield High School Students Recently Earned Their Firefighting I Certification
Three Springfield High School students recently earned their Firefighting I certification. Firefighters BA Drury, E. Johnson, and W. Woodson are taking advantage of a new afterschool opportunity which will prepare them to start a career in the fire service upon graduation from high school.
After attending school, the students report to Livingston Parish Fire District #4 where they receive classroom and practical instruction from Safety Training Officers Chief Frank Dellucky and Chief Keesler Fly. Their time in the classroom has prepared them to attain certifications in Hazardous Materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness and Operations and most recently Firefighting I, making them the first ever high school seniors to become Certified Firefighters. In January, the students will begin preparing for the Firefighter II exam.
On November 16, 2022 Livingston Parish Public School’s Career and Technical Education Department appeared before the Workforce Investment Council to have Firefighting recognized as an Advanced Credential for students pursuing a TOPS University or TOPS Tech Diploma pathway. “Offering a course such as Firefighting will help to build a school to career pipeline of fire service men and women who can serve their community by providing emergency medical services and preventing and fighting fires,” Staci Polozola, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for LPPS said. Firefighters Drury, Johnson, and Woodson represented Livingston Parish students pursuing this credential and were professional and knowledgeable when answering questions posed by Chairmen of the Council David St. Etienne. Also in attendance and offering their expertise were Fire Chief James Wascom and Safety Training Officer Chief Keesler Fly of Livingston Parish Fire Protection #4 as well as Chief of Municipal Operations at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Academy, Chief Ken Fowler.