RIVERSIDE, CA – A big field trip is planned this week when about 500 high school seniors from nine Riverside County school districts will learn about careers in firefighting.
A “Student Fire Careers Expo” is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the county’s Ben Clark Regional Training Center (16791 Davis Avenue, Riverside).
The event will feature information about entry-level job positions available to high school graduates; firefighting equipment; burn props and firefighting techniques in action.
The event will also allow students to meet fire chiefs and industry experts, and glean information about training programs available at Moreno Valley College and UC Riverside.
Teachers, counselors and administrators can also attend seminars that offer information on how to guide students toward public safety careers.
“In a matter of months, thousands of students graduating in the class of 2024 will be looking for employment and professional opportunities and may not be aware of the breadth of fire and public safety career opportunities,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “A wide variety of positions are available right now for high school graduates to serve in their local community and start a rewarding and fulfilling career pathway they may not have previously considered.”
Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser said his department has openings that the agency is dedicated to filling, and he’s hoping the expo might spark interest from some of the youth.
“With the backing of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Riverside County Office of Education, Riverside County Workforce Solutions, Moreno Valley College, and the United States Forest Service, we are collaboratively working to raise awareness to high school students. Our goal is to showcase the diverse career opportunities available in the Fire Service, ranging from roles such as a firefighter, dispatcher, and heavy equipment mechanic, to positions like an accountant or IT technician. The potential to ignite interest in our youth that are preparing to join the workforce is limitless,” Weiser said.
San Bernardino National Forest public affairs specialist Gus Bahena said his agency also has openings.
“The San Bernardino National Forest has positions for its Fire and Aviation Management Program, including entry-level wildland firefighters,” he said. “These positions provide federal employment with benefits and are a great entry into the vocation of fire. Candidates hired will not only have an opportunity to be part of a profession with a storied and dignified tradition, but they will provide a service to communities that are within or in proximity to a natural resource that is 800,000 acres in size. Fire suppression saves lives and homes, but other work that fire personnel perform, such as fuels reductions and prescribed fires, provides defensible space to residential areas and improves forest health, including wildlife habitat. We are honored to be part of this event and look forward to meeting the young individuals who will one day fill the ranks of our agency.”
The upcoming event is a partnership between the Riverside County Office of Education, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service. Support for the event also includes lunch provided by Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jefferies.
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