Agenda - 03-15-1994 - VI-A - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 shape. The name represents the mission of the Academy. Challenge to non-traditional candidates to seek fire service careers and challenge to the fire service to accept non-tradi- tional candidates (see attached logo) . All the participating agencies committed to various elements of the Academy. The job agencies (JOCCA, NCDOL, DCETO) and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools will handle recruitment, pre-screening, selection, financial sponsorship ($1,600.00 per student) and job placements after graduation. Durham Technical Community College is providing educational program sanction, paying the instructors, and managing an enterprise account for the Academy. Chapel Hill Fire Department is providing coordination, facilities, curriculum and instructors. Durham Fire Department is providing instructors and facilities. The goal is to produce a fire service job applicant that is fully trained, pre-screened and certifiable under North Carolina Fire Commission Standards for Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. The Academy Pre-screening of candidates began in September. Approximately twenty four applicants were being processed by the agencies. They were interviewed for interest level, tested for reading and math skills, physical agility tested, had criminal history and driving license records checked, drug tested and given a medical exam by state standards. Eighteen students selected began class on October 13 and will graduate (some 400 hours later) prior to Christmas holidays. They will receive 160 hours of Emergency Medical Technician Training in January of 1994. Deputy Chief Smith of Chapel Hill has been appointed coordinator for the first academy. The N.C. Department of Labor has already begun contacting potential employers around the State concerning the availability of the graduates for positions. Chapel Hill will actively recruit the graduating class to apply for positions in the Chapel Hill Fire Department. The coalition is discussing making the Triangle Fire challenge Academy an on-going venture, possibly graduating two to three classes a year, but that will be determined-by job placement rate and interest by potential candidates and employers. A waiting list for future Academy classes has already begun to form. The coalition has set a policy that reserves 75% of the class seats for non-traditional candidates and opens 25% to anyone qualified by the pre-screening and posting all fees.