(Photo by Amber Phipps) Fire trucks and vehicles from partnering fire departments and rescue units lined the entrance of the Washington County Career Center on Wednesday afternoon.

The Washington County Career Center launched a firefighter I program for high school juniors and seniors along with a post-secondary Firefighter II program.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to pursue careers in firefighting, medical services, paramedics, fire prevention and more.

On Wednesday, 18 local fire departments and first responder units arrived at the career center to line the entrance of the building with emergency vehicles.

“Here at the career center we’re very proud of the young adults we have in our county,” said Michael Elliot, director and principal at the career center. “We have a lot of faith in them and we want to help, promote and allow them opportunities to improve themselves and the community.”

The firefighter program will EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) certify high schoolers that complete it and will provide them a starting point to explore firefighting opportunities.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The Devola Volunteer Fire Department showcased one of its fire trucks at the Washington County Career Center for the program announcement Wednesday.

About 70% of firefighters in the county are volunteers, according to Marietta High School teacher and Devola volunteer firefighter Gwynette Mayer.

“We need more firefighters and we need more EMS personnel,” she said.

Staff and local fire departments expressed excitement and support for the program’s initiation. The goal is to get high schoolers started with basic training before connecting them to the next step to become EMS (Emergency Medical Services) or EMR certified.

“We need to be looking at the community and asking ourselves ‘what do we need in terms of workforce?'” said Career Center Superintendent Tony Huffman. “We’ve heard loud and clear that our fire EMS folks need some relief and there’s a dire need for more staff.”

The program will offer a variety of training to better prepare students for various firefighter levels such as EMR, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and EMS. Once they complete the program, they’ll be EMR certified and trained in fire I and fire II levels before moving on to the adult program which will train them for EMT and EMS certifications.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Staff and firefighters stood together before the Washington County Career Center which was surrounded with fire trucks and vehicles for the ceremony on Wednesday.

The program is expected to grow as more students join and get involved with the opportunities available.

“We’re grateful to the career center for bringing this program onboard,” said Mark Wile who is the chief of the Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department. “This is going to expand to help cover more of the county.”

There are 18 fire departments in the county that rely on volunteers and volunteers are proving to be harder to come by. The fire departments are hopeful that this program will inspire and certify more students as they enter the workforce.

Students at the career center can speak with school staff to learn more about the firefighter program.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Washington County Career Center Superintendent Tony Huffman announced the new firefighter program at the school and how students can get involved.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The Belpre Volunteer Fire Department had one of its fire trucks on display for guests to admire.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The Belpre Volunteer Fire Department brought an emergency vehicle to the Washington County Career Center on Wednesday for the program announcement.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta Fire Chief C.W. Durham expressed his excitement for the program’s initiation.

(Photo by Amber Phipps) The Devola Volunteer Fire Department had an emergency vehicle stationed at the Washington County Career Center in honor of the new firefighter program at the school.