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To expand on scenario and equipment training for its Fire Academy, South Texas College has partnered with the Pharr Fire Department to give fire cadets the chance to utilize tools and facilities that will prepare them for the job.
STC and the Pharr Fire Department are long-time partners, but 2023 marks the first year that these additional trainings are available to students.
“This is the first year that STC is training with our department. We have many instructors that are more than willing to help these students. We’re excited to share our knowledge and for them to see how our department works,” said Lieutenant Jesus Rosillo from the Pharr Fire Department.
Weekly, after practicing numerous skills at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr, where the academy is housed, the cadets visit Pharr’s Fire Station No. 4 for additional training.
Recently, they learned how to properly and safely transport and climb a ladder, ending the week with a 100-foot climb with the full weight of their fire gear.
“We want for them to get acclimated to their gear and know how it feels to climb the ladder fully equipped,” Rosillo said. “Whenever they need to train with equipment on trucks or in our station, they are welcome to come and we train them here. Sometimes we also send instructors to the regional center. It’s a great partnership.”
He added that two of the cadets enrolled in the Fire Academy have already been hired by the Pharr Fire Department, which is why they ensure every cadet gets training and the skills they need to become licensed firefighters.
STC’s Fire Science Instructor Victor Fonseca emphasized the importance of students building confidence and being prepared for the challenges they will encounter in the field.
“The majority of departments have a ladder, like the ones our students train on, as part of their agility test to get hired. We try to incorporate the use of the gear every day because it’s what they’re going to use on the job,” he said. “Pharr has been helping us with guest instructors for hands-on training. They have made themselves available for the students whenever we need it.”
Additionally, the cadets also received fire extinguisher training.
“The students were able to practice different techniques with the fire extinguishers. It’s important for them to experience the extinguisher’s nozzle reaction and practice how close they must get to put out a fire,” said STC’s Fire Science Instructor Oscar Rodriguez.
He added that the students also trained on how to use the appropriate extinguishers for different types of fires and how to work with wind and other external factors.
“We appreciate this opportunity to give our students different perspectives about the job and to learn from each other. We all have different methods and that’s why we’re trying to open their minds,” said Rodriguez.
For more information on training and programs offered at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence, visit southtexascollege.edu/rcpse/ or call 956-872-4208.
