PURPOSE:
The purpose is to create and foster a career path to become a Firefighter/EMT in high school sophomores, juniors and seniors and for these students to start a career with the Houston Fire Department. BACKGROUND:
The Human Resources Department (HRD) Client Relations Classified Recruiters and the Houston Fire Department (HFD) Firefighters teamed up, to visit high schools and enrichment programs in the Houston Area. During these visits we would educate the students on the process of a career as a Houston firefighter. However, no branded or structured program had been created to target diverse students about to graduate and embark out in the world. These students needed a structured path and exposure to the Firefighter/EMT career which could be only provided by HRD and HFD working as a team. INITIATIVE:
HRD Client Relations Classified Recruiting and HFD came up with the concept of the “C.A.S.E.Y Club Program” (cultivate, advise, support, empower our youth) in 2013, which implanted a brand that would educate students on the career path of a Firefighter/EMT within high schools and enrichment programs in the Houston Area. In 2014, we renamed and revamped the program to become “C.A.S.E.Y Fire Ops”, which would provide a structured path and exposure to the Firefighter/EMT career. The “C.A.S.E.Y Fire Ops” helps to build interest in the fire service career path in underrepresented communities. The program will also educate sophomores, juniors and seniors remove the myth that firefighters only fight fires, and we will be able to highlight all areas of a career path in the fire service. Human Resources Department Classified Recruiting and HFD will pair up with high school students to engage in fostering a career path to becoming an EMT & Firefighter. This process will include building a stronger partnership with the local area high schools and enrichment programs in underrepresented communities. The “C.A.S.E.Y Fire Ops” will consist of engaging with students to find interested candidates. The program candidates will participate in the following:
• 7 to 9 mentor meetings during the school year at targeted local Houston schools with a Classified Recruiter and Firefighter
• Visit(s) to an area HFD fire station that may include participating in station activities or a visit to the Houston Emergency Center
• Participate in mock Physical Ability Testing process (PAT) called the High School Career and Fitness Experience
• Visit to Val Jahnke Training Facility for a tour, simulator demonstration and a live fire demo
• Tour of Local Community Fire & EMT Schools
• Possibly participate in 1 or 2 day camps schedule for the fall 2014(Fire) and spring 2015 (EMS)
• Participate in volunteer initiatives
• Be Ambassadors for HFD’s Anti-Bullying Campaign
The candidates who take part in the “C.A.S.E.Y Fire Ops” are more likely to be successful in completing the process of becoming a Houston firefighter. The program will build self-esteem, social and behavioral skills, encourage and foster students to be good citizens and great role models amongst their peers.
