New JVS Fire/EMT program aims to fill first responder gap

BLOOMINGDALE - About 10 juniors and seniors are currently enrolled and will work to obtain Fire I and II and EMT certifications and graduate with the abilities to serve in the safety forces. Fire and emergency service instructors (FESIs) Rusty Cominsky, Art Fowler Jr., Travis Coffy and Jim Westfall are teaching on a rotation while skilled professionals will occasionally provide specialized training.

Students have already begun with an introduction to the National Incident Command System and will also learn first aid/CPR, 911 dispatching, operating emergency vehicles and ladders, as well as other hands-on training. They can ultimately take part in clinical internships aboard ambulances. They will also attend sessions at the Gary R. Fellows Training Academy in Wintersville up to twice a week starting in November and can participate in SkillsUSA.

Jefferson County 911 Director and Wintersville Fire Chief Rob Herrington said officials had hoped to establish a program for years before adding it to the roster for the 2026-27 term, and it will help meet a need within the community.

"There's a huge demand. The students will be trained to the levels of Firefighter I and II, the latter of which is a professional designation. They'll also become trained as an EMT, and when they graduate they will be fully employable," he added. "The EMT's can go on to become paramedics and most fire departments would hire them and send them to paramedic school."

Herrington said there was interest among youth and six of the current pupils were already serving as cadets at local volunteer departments.

"We've already had interest and involvement," he commented.

Cominsky, who serves as program director at the training academy, said the program will also help fill a void with firefighters and EMTs throughout the state.

"We have had a shortage in our area and statewide," he said. "We met with [JVS Superintendent Ted Gorman and Principal Heather Hoover] last fall, but we've talked about doing this for a few years."

Fowler, a certified fire and EMS instructor, was happy to see the program come to fruition at the JVS.

"I think it's wonderful. Over the last couple of years, I've seen growth and interest in high school-aged kids and young adults in getting into the field, which is against the trend in previous years."

He continued that the instructors were some of the best and hold years of experience, so they bring a lot of knowledge into the classroom.

Coffy, who serves as a flight nurse on Stat MedEvac, will also share his fire and EMS expertise.

"This is where my passion is [with fire and EMS]. It feels really good and I think it's very important that we are always involved," he commented.

He noted that the number of volunteers has decreased and hopes the program will help reignite participation.

"I have pride in teaching the next generation who can serve another 40-50 years. It makes me happy to see kids who are interested and want to learn."

One of them is Daniel Hammond, a junior from Steubenville Catholic Central High School who said he could not wait to get started.

"I love it. The instructors are awesome and we're going to be doing a lot of training. It's going to be super interactive."

School leaders were equally excited to see the program get up and running.

"We're excited to expand on pathways at the JVS and also form community partnerships," said Principal Heather Hoover. "This program is another valuable asset to the community, just as our other programs are. We look forward to seeing the students get trained by local industry representatives and have the ability to enter the workforce locally or throughout the State of Ohio."

"Our new fire and EMT program gives students the opportunity to begin a meaningful career while they are still in high school. They will graduate with valuable training and professional certifications that can lead directly to employment, further education, and a lifetime of serving others," said Superintendent Ted Gorman.