To engage college-aged students interested in a future career as a firefighter or emergency medical service worker, the Chehalis Fire Department plans to launch a student firefighter program in January 2016.
Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale presented the department’s plan at the Chehalis City Council meeting on Monday night.
The goal of the program is to allow students interested in a career path with a fire district to get first-hand knowledge of the job.
According to Cardinale, the program would allow for eight students, which equates to two students per shift.
Candidates for the program will be selected in a similar way as entry level firefighters with an application process and an oral interview before a selection is made.
Participants need to be attending a community college, with a preferred major in fire technology, have a valid driver’s licence, be at least 18 years of age and have personal health insurance to participate.
Those selected in the course will not engage in active fire situations, Cardinale said, but would participate in ridealongs and post-fire operations.
Cardinale said there are benefits for the students, fire district and the community through the program.
Students gain first-hand experience and create relationships with firefighters, while building their resumes. The fire department and community benefit from the program because it allows more of a presence at public events and saves money in hiring process costs later on with possible recruitment from the program.
“The benefits that it has for the community is that we will be able to get, like I said, first-hand knowledge of these kids,” Cardinale said, adding that the department would gain valuable information before it hires any of the candidates.
The program was approved to be included in the fire department’s existing budget and costs about $500.
With no reserve firefighters currently on staff at the Chehalis Fire Department, Councilor Daryl Lund said he would like the department to spend time on building the reserve force before spending money on the program.
Chad Taylor, another councilor, said he supported the idea and thought it was “a neat program.”
Resumes and applications will be accepted in January 2016.
