City of Bloomington Fire Department, Hoosier Hills Career Center Collaborate To Prepare Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Robert Stumpf, Battalion Chief of Training, Fire Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3896
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) and Hoosier Hills Career Center have teamed up on a Fire/Rescue training program for high school juniors and seniors who are considering a career in public safety.

The opportunity is part of Hoosier Hills' vocational training program and is aimed at providing students with the chance to receive basic certifications and learn more about how the BFD trains. On Thursday, October 10, City firefighters Steve Coover and Rob Sears met with students at the City's Fire Training Tower and carried out a series of exercises that new recruits complete prior to joining the force.

BFD Battalion Chief of Training Rob Stumpf expressed the importance of this type of community collaboration.

"This partnership with Hoosier Hills Career Center is one of the more special things that we do here at BFD because of the direct impact it has on young adults in our community" said Stumpf. "Both the training experience that we impart and the relationships that our officers get to build with students are valuable and rewarding."

Hoosier Hills Career Center is a technical education program that allows high school students to gain valuable knowledge and experience in a variety of professional fields through a combination of classroom seminars and hands-on learning. The program, established in 1973, is run through the Monroe County Community School Corporation and also offers college and advanced placement credits through Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University.

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