LHS Seniors Face the Fire

Most people agree it takes a special person to be a firefighter, one of those everyday heroes who run toward danger while everyone else is going in the other direction. To know at a young age that you want to join this profession is a distinguishing characteristic.

Four young men, Loganville High School seniors, were honored by Walton County Fire Rescue on May 19th during a ceremony marking their completion of a groundbreaking new program that gave them the training needed to become state-certified firefighters.

WCFR teamed up with The Walton County Board of Education to implement this unique program, the very first of its kind in the state of Georgia. High school seniors spend the first half of their school day at the fire station, learning Fire Science and completing physical training. The curriculum is the same as the Basic Firefighter course offered at local technical colleges and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, with its goal being that all participants will be state certified firefighters and work-ready upon graduation.

WCFR Chief Mike Moore said he is very pleased with the success of the program. “This has been a joyous road for us all,” he said. “We had four [participants] this year, and already have 14 for next year.”

The program began in January, and was led by nationally-certified instructors Lt. Jeff Allen and Lt. Andy Logan.

Caleb Billings, who was awarded the “Highest Grade Average” award, is following in the Public Safety footsteps of his father, who works in the Emergency Medical Field. Billings plans to attend Emergency Medical Technician school after graduation.

“I expect great things from Caleb in this field,” Allen said.

Another following after his father is Jacob Hall, whose father is a lieutenant with WCFR. Hall was given the “Outstanding Fire Safety Educator” award and was a standout in his class for his leadership qualities. Hall has an interview scheduled with Sandy Springs Fire Department in the coming days.

Jacob Olds was, by far, the most enthusiastic of the group, according to Allen.

“This guy all the time has a grin on his face a mile wide, no matter what,” Allen said. Olds received the “Persistence and Dedication” award.

Will Santiago was the only one who had no fire experience whatsoever prior to the class, but still managed to impress his instructors. During a drill called Speed Dress, firefighters must put on their gear in less than two minutes. Santiago completed this task in 1.06 minutes, the best in the class, qualifying him for the “Most Improved” award.

Battalion Chief John Marsh has great hopes for the future of this program, and hopes to be able to provide participants with college credits through Athens Technical College.