The New Castle Career Center is offering a new opportunity for students interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Services. The Fire and Rescue Program which begins in the fall of 2024 allows students to earn four state fire certifications while still in high school. Students will learn in the classroom and have hands-on training at the Henry County Fire Training Center.

Instructor Answers The Call to Fire and Rescue

In the mid-1990s, Fire and Rescue Program Instructor Tim Welch began his career in Emergency Services as a Paramedic. Through this work, he had the opportunity to work with firefighters and discovered his calling to switch careers to Fire and Rescue.

“The compassion, dedication, and worldwide connection firefighters have with each other was real. The hands-on work, as well as the tactical process, were extremely challenging and, at the same time, so rewarding,” Welch remarked. “Firefighting isn’t like any other trade. It is a calling. We work together, live together, train together, and, in the end, WIN together as a team.”

Fire and Rescue Career Field Requirements

The Fire and Rescue career field needs dedicated and motivated students passionate about becoming firefighters. Career firefighters will instruct students in both the physical training and Fire Academy requirements. These include:

• Search and rescue procedures
• Victim removal
• Fire suppression
• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) functionality skills
• Fire ground operations
• Hazardous material training
• Fire behavior/concepts of safety standards
• Curriculum on fire protection systems, fire prevention and safety education, building construction and floor plans, fire, safety, and construction codes.

All Fire and Rescue students must do hands-on team activities in high-stress situations, complete an IHSAA sports physical, and participate in high physical activity.

Welch expressed his anticipation of beginning the new program and welcoming new students, stating, “The excitement that comes with students learning something that they can use in a field they can be proud of is great. The transition from student to a firefighter is truly a process to be celebrated, and I look forward to sharing that experience with them.”

Upon completion of the program, students will have earned 12 total credits. Interested students can contact their School Counselor for an application. Once the application has been processed, students will be contacted to set up an interview.

Students in the EMT and Public Safety Program at New Castle Career Center are gaining unprecedented certifications and skills. These certifications and skills help students pursue careers in various fields, including becoming a licensed paramedic, firefighter, nurse, law enforcement officer, medical assistant, or emergency room technician.

“Our classroom is state of the art boasting an indoor functional ambulance simulator, electric lift ambulance cot, a multitude of equipment and supplies, and an actual ambulance outdoors for ride along scenarios,” noted Program Instructor Bill Hufford. “Our phlebotomy section provides realistic actual blood drawing experience.”

The program uses multiple clinical site hospitals for ER rotations, including Henry Community Health and Reid Health. The program uses Richmond, Muncie, Rushville Fire Departments, New Castle EMS, Henry County EMS, Fayette County EMS, and Reid EMS for ambulance services.

EMT and Public Safety Certifications and College Credits

Students in the EMT and Public Safety program have the opportunity to obtain the following certifications:

• Emergency Medical Responder
• National Emergency Medical Technician
• Prehospital Trauma Life Support
• Tactical Emergency Casualty Care
• Emergency Vehicle Operator
• AHA CPR
• National Phlebotomy

Upon completing the EMT & Public Safety program, students earn 7.5 college credits through Ivy Tech. These credits can be applied to an associate degree or transferred to another college or university.

Phlebotomy Course and Certification

The phlebotomy course is held in the last three months of the school year and includes a certification from the National Healthcare Association. Students receive instruction and hands-on experience drawing blood to obtain a phlebotomy certification.

The New Castle Career Center is the only high school career program that offers a phlebotomy program and certification. These skills prepare students for careers they can begin immediately after graduation and while attending college.

For more information regarding high school or adult classes, reach out to Paramedic Bill Hufford at bhufford@ncweb.me. To learn more about the variety of programs available at the New Castle Career, visit nccareercenter.org.