Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza announced Wednesday that a Student Firefighter Academy launched at Central High School.
Elorza said that 12 Central seniors have been placed in the 150-hour paid summer program. The program covers the Firefighter I course curriculum and is taught by a state certified instructor.
Those students will get hands on training on search and rescue as well as ground level training.
“Firefighters provide an essential service to our city, so it is critical that we create opportunities to develop talent from our own community,” the mayor said.
Once the students complete the summer program, they’ll be able to take Firefighter II courses during the school year. After completing the 450-hour paid program, students will undergo a physical fitness and agility test, as well as a phycological exam before being admitted into the 2023 Providence Fire Training Academy.