By Jordan Fouts
The Elkhart Truth
GOSHEN, Ind. — The Goshen Fire Department and Goshen Community Schools have unveiled a joint training program for students.
City and school representatives have cut the ribbon on the RedHawk Fire Academy classroom at the Chandler Education Center. The two-year program is designed for high school students who want to become firefighters or EMTs.
The curriculum is slower-paced than traditional firefighter training, and emphasizes aspects such as detection, safety techniques and communication standards, according to information from the city. It’s scheduled to start in the 2024-25 school year.
Students can receive Ivy Tech credits as well, and if they earn enough, can graduate with an associate’s degree by the time they finish high school. The aim is for all participants to be fully prepared for immediate readiness on completion.
“... To be immediately employable in our fire and EMS service across the state of Indiana,” said Goshen Fire Chief Dan Sink. “Of course, we’d love them to stay in Goshen, but it offers them that probability anywhere in the state of Indiana.”
City and school leaders announced the program in February, saying it would add to the school’s career readiness program, which also offers business and manufacturing courses. Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Powell had reached out to the school to explore the idea, something he said was a dream of the fire department for years.
Travis Peak, who has conducted the department’s fire academy for several years, will be the division chief and instructor for the program. He said he was excited to get the school year started.
Goshen High School Principal Cathy DeMeyer said Thursday that the program would give unique opportunities for the students to serve their local communities.
“I might need help and the person who answers the call is one of my students,” she said. “There was just something about that that was intriguing and special.”
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