Firefighters Needed: Randolph Community College Firefighter Academy Application Deadline July 25; Classes Begin July 30

In this era of tight budgets for local governments, volunteer firefighters are more important than ever. Fires don’t stop when budgets get cut, and every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters help protect the public against these dangers by responding to fires and a variety of other emergencies, but local fire departments are in need of new recruits. “Recruitment and retention of firefighters and rescue workers is a serious issue across the United States,” said Brian Causey, director of Randolph Community College’s Emergency Services Training Center.
           
RCC’s Firefighter Academy, beginning July 30, will put potential firefighters on the fast track. The Academy is designed to give the student an idea of what it is like in a fire department recruit training school. It includes an aggressive physical fitness program to allow the student to be able to handle the physical demands of the fire service. “Some firefighters take five years of training to achieve the same level that this intensive program provides,” said Causey. Students can receive up to five certificates (Emergency Medical Technician, HazMat, North Carolina Rapid Intervention Team, Emergency Vehicle Driving, and North Carolina Firefighter I & II).

For more on this story, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2012/2012-07-11.php.