AKRON, Ohio — When it comes to recruitment, the Akron Fire Department starts before students even finish high school.
Each year, several students join a program designed to help them figure out what’s next after graduation.
At the end of every school year, students from the fire and EMS training program at Ellet Community Learning Center take they've learned in the classroom to a hands-on experience at the Akron Fire Department training center.
Alexis Wallace is in her first year in fire safety pathway at Ellet CLC. She’s a 10th grader in a three-year program that introduces students to fire safety and emergency medical services. It’s a chance to explore what they are passionate about.
“Watching the paramedic save them in a time of need, really let something up inside of me," said Wallace. “And it made me realize that I want to help other people just like they helped me.”
After experiencing a near-death moment with someone close to her, Wallace knew she wanted to help. But firefighting wasn’t her first choice.
“I wanted to be a paramedic at first, but my school only offered firefighter EMT," said Wallace. “Which was the closest I could get, but over time, I just grew to love the idea of firefighting. I loved Mr. Anderson, who is one of my biggest influences.”
Darryl Anderson Sr. is the fire safety instructor. A 33-year veteran of the Warren city fire department, Anderson teaches the course under the City of Akron academy of Community Health and Safety. He said programs give students more than skills — they offer a path to the future.
“It's an amazing program, because it gives young people an opportunity to learn, to get a hands-on experience for a career that will benefit them and the community in the long run," said Anderson.
This year, Anderson teaches about 50 students from 9th to 12th grade. Some of those graduating seniors go on to join the Akron Fire Department.
“I've had two young men in the last year who've completed the Akron fire academy, and they came back and told me that the hands-on experience that they got through our program helped them to achieve and succeed in this program," said Anderson.
The Akron Fire Department currently has 398 firefighters. The last graduating class was this past March with 28 fire cadets. AFD opens applications every two to four years, just in time for Wallace to apply after her training.
“I knew it would be a lot of activity, but I didn't think it would be so difficult, you know. But just because it was hard, I’m not really deterred at all," said Wallace. “I don't think that should be the case for anybody. You know, I think I’m still going to try and work toward what I want to be, which is a firefighter.”
After fire safety and EMT training, the students walk away with certificates, including CPR and stop the bleed. Some of those students go on to become Akron firefighters.
Akron Fire Department District Chief Sierjie Lash is one of a dozen professionals on the advisory board for the City of Akron Academy of Community Health and Safety.
“Akron fire personnel enjoy getting to interact with the students of the Ellet High School fire safety pathway to encourage them in achieving their goals for a career in the fire service. Not only do the students get an opportunity to see the career in a professional setting, but the Akron firefighters also get a chance to learn from the students about concerns and success in current education and training for students new to the career field who are also firefighters and paramedics in training," Lash said.
The program has been in Akron for more than 20 years. Ellet CLC is the only school in Akron that offers the fire safety and EMT training program.
There are several other programs offered throughout Akron Public Schools.
