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Putnam County recognizes Fire & Rescue apprenticeship program, announces paid trainee positions
Summary
County officials and emergency-services leaders recognized apprentices who completed a Putnam County Fire & Rescue apprentice and trainee program that offers ride-along exposure and paid 40-hour trainee slots to help recruit and retain entry-level staff.
Putnam County commissioners and fire-rescue leadership recognized a cohort of apprentices and new paid trainees who completed a local apprenticeship and public-safety training program designed to expose high-school-age and older candidates to fire-service careers.
Deputy Administrator Grimes and the fire chief described a program started about a year earlier that allowed interested youths (age 16 and up) to ride with fire trucks for about 10 hours per week to determine whether a fire-service career suited them. Staff then created a 40-hour paid trainee position to allow participants to remain in school while gaining workplace experience and retaining local talent. Chief Grimes introduced trainees by name and noted one recent apprentice, Jordan Campbell, completed EMT training and is enrolled in fire school.
Officials said the program helps retain local candidates who might otherwise be recruited by other counties or drop out for financial reasons. Commissioners and county administration praised the program as “homegrown” workforce development that gives early exposure to maintenance, fleet and logistics work as well as front-line operations. County officials also recognized staff members and volunteers who support the program’s operations and student follow-up.
Why this matters: The apprenticeship and paid trainee positions create a local recruitment pipeline for emergency services, give students on-the-job exposure before committing to fire-school tuition, and address turnover and staffing shortages in public safety.
What’s next: Officials said they will conduct further trainee interviews in June after area high-school graduations and continue to expand the apprentice pool and trainee slots.
