The Columbus Division of Fire may have recruited its most diverse group yet with 16 cadets of color and eight women. The program is a two-year paid internship that was created to introduce minority communities to careers within the Columbus Fire Department.
Lt. and Cadet Commander Elisha Holmes said this program would have been a huge help when he entered the department.
“This program becomes that uncle, that cousin, that brother that knows about the fire department and can guide you through the process,” said Holmes. “That's why it would have been huge. I would've gotten on almost 15 years earlier had that been the case.”
All cadets will leave the program with multiple certifications including a 240 Fire Certification, an EMT Certification and an Emergency Medical and Fire Dispatch Certification.