Students in Chatham-Kent are getting a first-hand look into the careers of all types of first responders.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue is teaming up with the Lambton-Kent District School Board to offer a new career exploration program called "Stop, Drop, This is How We Roll."
The program took place this semester at Ridgetown District High School.
According to Public Fire Educator Whitney Burke, a representative from CKFR presents to the grade 10 civics and career class and also spends the lunch hour with them each week.
"We have a guest speaker come in each week to talk about their roles as a firefighter," said Burke. "There are so many roles in this career that younger individuals might not know about."
Representatives ranged from the training department to volunteer firefighters, who are also employed with EMS, CK police, and more.
"It's a really good link into all the different types of careers that you can have as a first responder but with the overarching connection to volunteering in your community," said Burke. "We are trying to reach a different demographic that will hopefully diversify the field."
The role of the program is to provide support to the school community as a whole, which includes students, parents, school staff, and administrators.
The roles and responsibilities include public safety, and emergency services-related education, relationship building and positive role modelling, community liaison, and problem-solving.
"This was our first pilot project but we are really excited about it and we hope to see this expand out to all the schools in the community," said Burke.
