JVS Fire and EMT program prepares next generation of first responders

BLOOMINGDALE — The newly established Fire and EMT program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School was in the spotlight during the JVS Board of Education's regular meeting Oct. 20, as officials learned how it is preparing the next generation of first responders.

Fire and EMT instructors Rob Herrington and Rusty Cominsky joined students Spencer Narveleit and Khloe Buchanan to discuss how the program could help address a shortage of emergency personnel locally and nationwide.

Herrington, who serves as Jefferson County 911 director and Wintersville fire chief, said staffing shortages have challenged fire departments and that the JVS program could help fill the void in the years ahead.

“We were an all-volunteer department and we started staffing in 2016. As soon as we started to staff, we realized there were no people, so we were recruiting people from the Columbus area to the Canton area,” he said.

Herrington said previous efforts to establish a training program at the JVS did not come to fruition, but school and fire officials revisited the idea and added the course this year.

The program currently has nine students who train at the JVS, in Wintersville and at the department's adjacent Gary R. Fellows Training Academy. Herrington said the state-chartered academy trains 550 adults, and he teaches fire courses there alongside Cominsky. Officials hope the new program will introduce more young people to careers in emergency services.

“What is this career like when you leave and go out into the world? First of all, they will be instantly employable because they will be Firefighter 2, which is the standard, and they will be EMT’s,” he commented. “The only thing they will lack is paramedic training, but the fire departments will put them through the paramedic training.”

Herrington said paramedic training is provided through a college or community college, while JVS students will receive instruction in areas including driver’s training, hazardous materials and incident command. The program includes both in-house and visiting instructors.

He said emergency responders are needed everywhere and the field offers strong benefits.

Herrington also praised the JVS for welcoming the program.

“We are really, really excited to be here. Since we’ve been involved in this process going back to last year, I’ve been very impressed with this organization. It’s been a really, really good experience and that’s a hat’s off to you for building this environment for us to work in.”

Cominsky, who has worked in public safety for four decades and served as a police officer for 35 years, said the program has five instructors with extensive knowledge and experience. Students are working toward certifications and will take a state certification test. They have also been learning to operate a fire truck.

Junior Spencer Narveleit, an Edison student, said he is gaining valuable knowledge and hopes to join a local fire department after graduation. He is already a junior member of the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department and said he enjoys the class.

“I’ve always wanted to do this...and I plan on working at Wintersville part-time, Richmond full time and any place I can,” Narveleit added.

Junior Khloe Buchanan, who attends Buckeye Local High School, called the program a fantastic opportunity.

“This program is so new. My first time actually realizing I could take a program like this was during orientation. I always knew I wanted to do something medical and I applied, and I love it here,” she quipped. “I can say everybody in our class enjoys our class. We are all a team. At the end of the day, I know that we’ll be there for each other and we’ll be at each other’s side.”

Cominsky thanked school leaders for providing additional space for the class, which had been running out of room. Herrington said the Stratton Volunteer Fire Department recently received new equipment through a grant and offered its extra air packs for student training.

“Those fire departments are really looking forward to this program,” Herrington concluded. “Junior firemen want to have careers, so nobody knew what that path was so they had to figure it out. These kids will come out at age 18 or 19 and will be ready to go.”

Board member Ruth Anne Bruzzese asked Narveleit about his responsibilities during active calls with the Richmond department. Herrington explained that cadet firefighters ages 14-17 assist with support tasks such as raising ladders and preparing hoses, which he said account for 80% of the job.

Students will also train in controlled environments as part of their education and earn certifications that could give them an advantage when applying for jobs.

“They send a resume out and they are Fire 2 and EMT, and that is huge,” Herrington concluded. “They’ll go to the top of the list right away.”

Superintendent Ted Gorman thanked Herrington, Cominsky, the instructional staff and the student speakers for sharing their knowledge. He also praised the nine students who selected the course as their first choice and said he hopes enrollment will grow.

In other business:

• Board President Steve Bezak III offered to speak to local school boards about increasing federal funding for special education services. Bezak said Congress pledged in 1975 to cover 40% of the cost but has not contributed more than 10% since then. He said 3.7 million students used the services in 1975, with about 8.3 million expected to do so next year.
• Gorman reported that work on the computer networking lab was complete and the heavy equipment and Fire and EMT labs had been relocated. Carpentry students are expected to upgrade flooring in the multimedia and design program. He also announced that the Veterans Day breakfast will be held Nov. 10.
• Principal Heather Hoover said the Fall Fest was successful. The Pathways, Possibilities and Pasta spaghetti dinner was scheduled for Oct. 22 from 4:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the second annual JVS Car Show on Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The next regular board meeting was scheduled for Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. in the board conference room to accommodate the annual Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference in Columbus.