Bell rings for firefighting class at Highlands
By Tom Yerace
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Buzz up!
When the school year starts in August, some Highlands students won't need a fire lit under them to get enthused; they'll be learning how to fight them.
Late last year, the school board approved a course at the high school to teach firefighting skills, strategies and techniques to students.
"I'm really excited about it," said Mike Krzeminski, a social studies/government teacher at the high school and a firefighter with Harrison's Hilltop Hose.
He said Highlands is the first school district in the country to attempt this.
The idea is to inspire students to continue on as volunteer firefighters serving their communities. They possibly could earn a living as firefighters in paid municipal departments or in private industry.
"We're hoping that that will increase the membership in these companies," said Tarentum Borough Manager Bill Rossey, a firefighter with Highland Hose for 35 years. "We're all struggling."
Rossey thought that a high school course could stem that tide. He said all nine volunteer fire companies in the school district endorsed the idea and formed the Highlands Emergency Services Alliance to move the proposition forward.
Rossey approached Krzeminski, Hilltop Hose's training officer, about teaching such a class. Krzeminski did not have to be persuaded. He, Rossey and the HESA developed a course outline, which the administration OKed and the school board approved as a three-credit course.
"We figured what better way to do this than to teach it in school because nobody wants to go to classes at night or after school," Rossey said. "We're going to teach them first aid, CPR, plus basic fire service and emergency service techniques."
With schedules still being built for the fall, Krzeminski said he doesn't know how many students have signed up for the elective course. Between 20 and 30 students, the maximum the class could hold, are believed to have signed up.
Sophomore Jeremy Fox, 15, of Tarentum, and junior Steve Negrich, 16, of Harrison have signed up.
"I think it is a good idea, that it can get some kids out of trouble, get them in to a fire company and help the community," said Fox, a junior member of Sarver Volunteer Fire Co. "It's a fun trade. It's got its dangers, but that's the risk you've got to take, it's part of the job."
Negrich, a junior member of Hilltop Hose, said, "I was excited, instantly. It's something you can train for in-school instead of having to go after school. It's nice.
"I like how we'll get to use our equipment during the class and do what we would do at a fire."
Krzeminski said that the year-long class, which will meet every day, will involve practical firefighting exercises as well as classroom work.
For that reason, he said students who enroll must provide their own equipment, such as turnout coats, pants, boots and a helmet.
"They are going to need to join a local fire department," he said. That's how they can get that equipment, as well as insurance coverage for the training.
But Krzeminski knows that there will be some students who haven't joined a fire company. He said they can't participate in the practical exercises but will, as an alternative, be able to develop correct strategies by using computer simulators of fire scenes.
"My goal with the course is that when a student from my program turns 18, they will have met all the prerequisites and they will be well-prepared for the Firefighter 1 certification test," Krzeminski said. "That makes them a certified firefighter in the state of Pennsylvania."
"They have to raise ladders, stretch hoses, do all the basic functions that a firefighter does."
Krzeminski and Rossey said state Sen. Sean Logan is working to land a $15,000 grant for the program to pay for the textbooks and some equipment. There are several other grants for which the Krzeminski and the HSEA is applying to pay for course materials.
"Really, the only thing the school district is paying for is the instructor," Rossey said.
Krzeminski is anxious to get started.
"I'm also very excited about teaching a class where discipline has to be so high," he said. " A lot of young people don't have discipline.
"For this class, it's not optional, it has to be there. It's a matter of life and death."
Tom Yerace can be reached at tyerace@tribweb.com or 724-226-4675
Highlands first responders to firefighters course
Highlands School District and local emergency responder services leaders teamed up to form a new course that will alleviate a nationwide trend of decreasing numbers of volunteers in the district’s neighborhoods.
The Highlands Emergency Services Alliance (HESA), comprised of eight volunteer fire companies, will offer a firefighting course at Highlands High School, allowing students to receive credits for time training and hopefully retaining their services in the community post-graduation.
Students can join a company prior to age 18 as a junior member.
The decreasing number of volunteers can be attributed to the 160 hours of required training, which many adults with one or two jobs and families can’t afford to undertake. By offering the HESA course, which more than 30 students already have enrolled in, the training hours can be completed before adult schedules become so hectic that volunteerism is out of the question.
AKH (Allegheny-Kiski Health) Foundation partnered with HESA through a Community Challenge Grant program.
“The foundation’s role is to help local communities clearly define their goals, and provide organizational support and financial incentive,” said AKH Foundation President and CEO John Pastorek.
The AKH Foundation will grant $25,000 to HESA if they achieve their Challenge goal of reaching 500 local families through its Life Safety Community Outreach programs. HESA will establish a scholarship endowment for students who complete the program with those funds.
Mike Krzeminski, a social studies teacher and Certified State Instructor, will teach the course at Highlands High School. The class will a role model course, as it is the first in the state and possibly the nation to offer this program during regular school hours.
“There are skills to be learned, but there is also discipline,” Mr. Krzeminski said. “And it all will start here in the new fire training class offered at Highlands High School.”
During Fire Safety Month (October), groups of students will inspect residential smoke alarms to make sure they are operational.
Safety Expo to feature Highlands students
A Safety Expo will be held in the parking lot of the Heights Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. The expo will feature students of Mr. Mike Krzeminski, a Certified State Instructor in fire safety and a social studies teacher at the High School. Mr. Krzeminski will be instructing more than 30 students firefighting and life-saving skills in a one-of-a-kind course offered this year through the Highlands Emergency Services Alliance (HESA).
HESA is comprised of eight local volunteer fire companies. By offering the course at the high school level, there is potential to increase the number of volunteers locally or open doors to an exciting and rewarding career for some students' futures.
The Safety Expo is sponsored by the Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation, which also partnered with HESA through a Community Challenge Grant program.
The innovative, unique program is being used as a role model course for other schools and organizations throughout the country.
