Answering the Call: Central High School Seniors Complete Firefighter/EMT Pathway Training

Becoming a firefighter requires courage in the face of danger, commitment to their community, and a willingness to put others before themselves. These qualities describe the 10 seniors who graduated from Central High School’s Firefighter/EMT Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway Tuesday, putting them one step closer to becoming full-fledged firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMT).

The Firefighter/EMT CTE Pathway serves as a direct pipeline to careers in public safety, with three students from previous cohorts already serving as firefighters and several others getting ready to be sworn in. This fourth cohort of graduates joins a growing legacy of Central High School alumni answering the call to serve the community they grew up in.

“These students chose a path that demanded extraordinary commitment,” said Providence Public School District Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “Their determination and perseverance speaks volumes about the type of leaders they are becoming. As someone who has devoted my career to serving the same community and school system that helped shape me, I know there is no greater privilege.”

The program is open to Central High School juniors and seniors. Admission is competitive with only a handful of students selected each year. Students spend 300 hours learning to be firefighters with the Providence Fire Department and 150 hours learning to be medics, through a partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island, for a total 450-hour program, the equivalent of 11 weeks of full-time work.

“Success is not measured only by the diploma our students receive, but by the opportunities it creates,” said School Board President Ty’relle Stephens. “At Central High School, these students are leaving with industry-recognized certifications, hands-on experience, and a clear pathway into careers that will help build a stronger Providence for generations to come.”

Students began their journey the summer before their senior year in an intensive summer academy that tested them physically, mentally and emotionally– mastering critical field operations including throwing and climbing ground ladders, smashing through doors using advanced forcible entry techniques, executing tactical ventilation to clear heat and toxic smoke from a building, navigating black-out environments for search and rescue missions, and handling high-pressure lines during complex hose operations.

They capped off their grueling summer with two full days of live burn training, where they put on full turnout gear and marched directly into the raging fires to prove they had what it takes.

During their senior year, students built on those baseline skills, executing complex, high-stakes vehicle extrication rescues and completing two shift ride-alongs with the Providence Fire Department to see firsthand how career firefighters respond to real emergency calls.

At the same time, they completed a year-long Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, with weekly, intensive medical labs covering trauma, cardiac arrest, patient stabilization and making split-second decisions under extreme stress.

“This program is about investing in the future of the Providence Fire Department and in the young people who call this city home,” said Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva. “These graduates have committed themselves to challenging training, earned valuable certifications, and demonstrated the focus, teamwork, and dedication that define the fire service. We are proud of everything they have accomplished and look forward to welcoming many of them back to the Providence Fire Academy as they continue their journey toward serving and protecting the residents of Providence.”

“This is a proud moment for our graduates, their families and the entire city of Providence,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “The ten students graduating from Central High School’s Firefighter/EMT CTE Pathway have gained hands-on experience, discipline and a deeper understanding of what it means to serve others. I am grateful to the Providence Fire Department for investing in our next generation and helping young people see a future where they pursue careers in public service and protecting communities.”

With their diplomas, certifications, and commitment to their community, these graduates leave Central High School ready to embody the Providence Fire Department’s motto: In Omnia Paratus—Prepared for Anything.