The Firefighter/EMT Program is comprised of 4 individual semester-long courses. This is a pilot program developed in partnership with Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services. Students will learn hands-on skills from current Athens Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services personnel and have the opportunity to earn the Firefighter I credential that will make them eligible to be employed as a Firefighter Recruit upon high school graduation. This pathway addresses the essential components needed for a career in fire and emergency services. Students will be prepared for real-life situations that include firefighting, emergency medical response, and public safety communications. Firefighters control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance. Students will explore career options, interagency communications, medical services, and basic firefighting standards. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to sit for the exam to certify as a Firefighter I per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®)1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT certification. Firefighting jobs in Georgia will increase by 10% by 2030.

Introduction to Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
This course provides students with career-focused educational opportunities in various LPSCS fields. It examines the basic concepts of law related to citizens’ rights and the responsibilities, and students will receive instruction in critical skill areas including: communicating with diverse groups, conflict resolution, ethics, CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Training, or similar program), basic firefighting, report writing, terrorism, civil and criminal law.  Career planning and employability skills will be emphasized. 

Essentials of Fire and Emergency Services
This course addresses the essential components needed for fire and emergency services.  Students will be prepared for their third-course options that include the following:  firefighting, emergency medical responder, and public safety communications.  Students will explore career options, interagency communications, medical services, and basic firefighting standards.  The prerequisites for this course are Introduction to Law, Public Safety and Corrections and Security.

Applications of Firefighting
This course, along with the prerequisite courses, is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA® 1001, Fire Fighter I.  After completing this course, the student will be able to sit for the exam to certify as a Firefighter I per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.  This course is also based on the Basic Firefighting Training Program from the GA Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC).  GPSTC has teacher-trainer resources (including skill sheets for those that are required) and recommended text.  The prerequisites for this course are Introduction to Law, Public Safety Corrections and Security, and Essentials of Fire and Emergency Services.  

The Applications of Firefighting course requires strenuous physical activity.  Students, parents, and school officials are encouraged to review and discuss the physical requirements prior to the student’s enrollment in the course.  Schools may choose to recommend that a student obtain a sports physical prior to the start of course activities.  Components of this course require a student to be eighteen years of age to participate and complete that component (i.e., live fire). However, those components can be completed the summer after graduation.

Emergency Medical Responder
The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course prepares the student to provide initial stabilizing care to the sick or injured prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services Professionals (EMS), and to assist EMS personnel in transporting patients for definitive care at an appropriate hospital/facility. Major areas of instruction include Introductory Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology; Responder Safety; Incident Command; Blood-borne Pathogen Training; Basic Physical Assessment; and Treatment of Trauma and Medical Emergencies; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).