KS Fire Department Partners with School District

A new program in the Blue Valley school district started this semester providing a fire science career education program.

Junior and Senior students enrolled in the program attend afternoon sessions at Overland Park’s training center learning the job functions of firefighters. While working with firefighters, students earn college credits through Johnson County Community College.

Once the two-year program is completed, students who participated and pass certification exams become eligible for employment after graduation from high school.

Overland Park FD Training Officer Andrew Bobka told KSHB 41, “Kids essentially have an opportunity to enter the workforce immediately with certifications. We are just a reflection of that movement. It’s definitely helping us be more localized in who we are looking to hire.”

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