Brevard Public Schools unveiled a new Firefighting Program at Palm Bay Magnet High School on August 12. The Wharton-Smith team joined School Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins, local fire chiefs, elected officials, and school district staff for the ceremony. See more pictures.
The firefighting academy offers college-level coursework, and it’s the first of its kind in Brevard County. The program will prepare high school students to be paramedics and firefighters and will be taught by Chester Bombriant, a recently retired firefighter. One hundred students are currently enrolled.
The students looked excited as they donned their uniforms for the first time and posed for the cameras. A watching firefighter said they’d need to learn to put those on in 60 seconds.
“These young men and women have already said, ‘Hey, I want to think about public service as my career, but more importantly, as my contribution to my community,'” Superintendent Mullins said. “We applaud you all, each of you, for taking advantage of the opportunity.”
A Jaws of Life was used to cut the ribbon, adding a bit of fun while reminding everyone of the program’s importance to the community. During the event, a couple of attendees demonstrated the Sled Machine training, which simulates using an axe to cut an opening in a roof for ventilation during a fire. Watch as Superintendent Mullins gives the Sled Machine a workout.
The project team renovated an existing 3,500 square foot building, adding partition walls to create a 2,400 square foot space for the Fire Rescue Training lab with storage rooms on either side. They installed an air handling unit, a new entry door, and storefront windows. They also provided electrical upgrades to support the new fire training equipment and intercom system and completed the renovation with LED lighting, paint, and flooring.
Congratulations to the project team of Usamah Aliyy, Rowdy Miller, Catherine Kugelmann, Jim Eubank, Kimberly Savallo and Chase Cuke.
