The city of Sylvester took a step forward Friday with a program that will add volunteer staff to its fire department and benefit local college students. Fire science students at Albany Technical College graduate with the national firefighter's certification they need, but not the state certification. The partnership between the Sylvester Fire Department and ATC will put the students or graduates who get their national certification to work at the Sylvester Fire Department. They'll work as volunteers and get some experience, plus the chief will help them get their state certification. The Sylvester City Council approved the partnership in its regular meeting on Friday.