PANAMA CITY — Bay District Schools and Gulf Coast State College will soon launch the district’s first Career and Technical Education Fire Academy.
The school district and college planned to sign an agreement during the Bay District School Board meeting on May 12. The academy will launch at Rutherford High School beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
According to a BDS press release, Rutherford High School students entering ninth or 10th grade next school year will have the opportunity to begin training for careers in firefighting while still in high school.
Students enrolled in the academy may be eligible to earn articulated credit toward Firefighter I certification.
“This is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to provide for our students: real-world career training that leads directly to employment opportunities right here in Bay County,” Superintendent Mark McQueen said in a news release. “Not every student’s path looks the same after graduation, and this program gives students a tremendous head start toward a meaningful and rewarding career serving their community.”
Students who successfully complete the coursework and meet state requirements will be able to continue into Firefighter II certification after graduation.
”Rutherford High School is expected to serve as the pilot location for the program, with district leaders hopeful that the academy can eventually expand to additional high schools and future first responder pathways, including EMS, law enforcement and emergency communications,” the release says.
”This is about growing our own,” McQueen said in the release. “We are creating opportunities for students to stay local, serve local and build careers that make a difference.”
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Fire academy will launch in a Bay County high school next year
Reporting by DeonTay Smith, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
