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High school firefighter training program in Livingston shows early hires, state expansion
Summary
Presenters from a student firefighter training program told the Livingston Parish School Board the CTE-backed pilot launched in January 2022 has placed graduates into firefighting roles and expanded to other Louisiana districts; presenters shared program structure, certification outcomes and statewide rollout plans.
The Livingston Parish School Board on Aug. 20 heard a presentation on a high school firefighter training program developed with the parish fire protection district and the district's career-technical-education (CTE) department.
CTE Coordinator Brandy DeSalle introduced Chief Keesler Fly, Chief Frank DeLucchi and firefighter operator Canaan Champagne, who described the program and its outcomes. "We started it in January 2022," Chief Keesler Fly said, describing the program's local launch.
The program, presented as a recruit-style academy for high school students, certifies students in hazardous-materials awareness, hazardous-materials operations and Firefighter I during the first semester, presenters said; the second semester focuses on rescue skills including live-fire evolutions and vehicle extrication. DeSalle said the coursework is intended both to prepare students for firefighting careers and to provide life and safety skills for students who do not enter the fire service.
Firefighter operator Canaan Champagne provided outcome numbers: over the first three years the parish program enrolled 18 students (not counting the current year) and reported a 79% pass rate on certification testing. Champagne said students have had the opportunity to earn up to 72 different certifications collectively and that program graduates have been hired by the presenting department and by other departments. "We have hired noncareer firefighters over the last 3 years, 3 part time and 2 volunteers," Champagne said.
Presenters said the Livingston pilot has become a statewide model: the program was approved by the state fire marshal committee after the pilot year and the presenters now sit on the state committee that evaluates other parishes' programs. They said the program operates in multiple parishes (seven programs at the time of the meeting) with plans to add more next year.
Board members and staff in attendance thanked presenters and noted the program both recruits for fire departments and provides students with technical and life skills. No formal action or vote was taken; the item was presented as informational.
Board members asked about next steps and expressed support for continued collaboration between schools and local fire departments.
The presentation material with additional statistics was made available to board members on request.
