High school senior describes Exeter Township Fire Department internship and recounts on-duty rescue

Cody Eshanauer, a senior at Exeter Township High School and a firefighter with the Exeter Township Fire Department, told the Exeter Township School Board on May 18 about an internship that places students with the department for hands-on training and community response.

The internship, Eshanauer said, combines classroom time with station duties, maintenance of apparatus, tool training and response to local emergencies. “I am Cody Eshanauer, a senior at Exeter Township High School as well as a firefighter with Exeter Township Fire Department,” he said, describing two years in the program, his EMT certification and his work posting department responses on social media to support recruitment.

Eshanauer recounted a recent structure fire on Claire Drive during which he said he helped hold a hand line to shield an entrapped occupant until other crews completed the rescue. He described heavy interior smoke, a chief already positioned at a window and crews coordinating to remove the person; Eshanauer said the occupant survived.

Board members praised the presentation and the internship’s role in workforce development. Dr. Anne Herring said, “Cody, that was an amazing presentation,” and other members thanked Eshanauer, his parents and Mr. Ricketts, who helps run the program.

The board did not take any formal action on the internship at the meeting. The presentation was given during the superintendent’s agenda and followed by brief public recognition; the district positioned the internship as both an educational opportunity and a recruitment pathway for emergency services.