By Molly Walsh
cleveland.com
MENTOR, Ohio — As fire departments struggle to fill open positions, Mentor schools are trying to grow their own future firefighters — starting in high school.
The Mentor Public Schools district has launched a partnership with the Mentor Fire Department and Lakeland Community College aimed at giving students early, hands-on experience in public safety and emergency medical services.
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Through the program, students enrolled in Mentor’s career academies can earn college credit while still in high school and graduate with their EMT certification already completed.
District officials say that head start can shave years off the path to a career in firefighting, emergency medical services or other healthcare-related fields.
The initiative comes at a time when departments nationwide are reporting fewer applicants for firefighter and paramedic positions, a trend local officials say is being felt closer to home as well.
By working directly with Mentor Fire and Lakeland Community College, students are exposed to real-world expectations of the job — from classroom instruction to practical training — rather than just learning about the career in theory.
Educators say the program is designed not only to help departments facing staffing shortages, but also to give students a clearer sense of whether public safety is the right fit for them before they graduate.
District leaders say the partnership also helps remove barriers for students who may be interested in firefighting or healthcare careers, but unsure how to get started or how to afford postsecondary training.
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