Fire Department Connection
The "Fire Department Connection" is our web link to reach out to the firefighting community in an effort to create a partnership with the Vermont firefighting community and the college in the Fire Science Program. Several initiatives are;
Academic Buddy System:
Student mentoring program between Fire Science Students and the Vermont firefighting community. Students will be paired with a firefighter/officer during the Student Orientation process. Students can meet and correspond with their mentors, mentors can assist with questions, and may provide some assistance with academics or career advice.
Subject Matter Expert Resource List:
If you feel that you have a special interest or skill relating to the fire service please email your name and describe your subject matter expertise. Subject matter experts may be asked to participate as a guest lecturer or resource in the program.
Firehouse Campus:
During each semester a special lecture will take place. Presenters from a variety of aspects of the fire service will be asked to give a three hour presentation on a special event or topic to the fire science class. Members of the Vermont firefighting community will also be invited to attend this special presentation. Several examples may include managing "mass casualty incidents" with specific case studies of actual events by individuals participating in those events, the ecological impact of wildland fires and the urban/wildland fire interface, and other specialty presentations.
Departments wishing to participate in an internship program, or firefighter resident internship program:
If your department would like to offer a student internship opportunities for one of our Fire Science students please let us know. We hope to offer the students an actual in service experience. There will be specific outcomes that need to be achieved in this process. The internship should be six weeks and possibly afford some payment to the student as a call firefighter, rescue or other fire service provider.
The firefighter residential internship program though similar to the internship program, provides a student with a more comprehensive firefighting experience. A student would be hired as a call firefighter and as part of a contract between the student/college and fire department would agree to spend a certain amount of time in the station. Both opportunities however have an academic obligation on the part of the student to maintain certain grade point average, be unavailable for calls during class time, and meet college obligations. The duration of a participant in the live in program could be two or four semesters.
If you or your department wants to participate in any of these programs please email;
Peter Maloska
Director Fire Science Program
pmaloska@vtc.edu
802-728-1710