VIDEO: A unique program in a Valley school district is giving students on-the-job training and setting them up for life after graduation. While the Fire Sciences program is typically a male-driven field, a group of ladies is stealing the show.
The high school students are going through the rigorous hands-on training a firefighter would do, to prepare to join a station in town. They’re getting ready physically and mentally while taking some top awards while they’re at it. Senior Nevaeh Hacker joined Peoria Unified School District’s fire science program by accident.
"When I first started the class, I had no idea what firefighters did," Hacker said. "I wasn't actually wanting to be a firefighter. I just kind of took the program to be like 'Oh yeah, it seems fun. I get out early when I can.' And then I fell in love with it."
Now, Hacker is hooked.