The Porter County Career and Technical Center Vocational Emergency Rescue Technology Academy (ERTA) class headed out to the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, IN for intensive training.
The Vocational ERTA class is held at Hobart High School but students from Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, Boone Grove, Kouts and Washington Township will all be attending the premier international training. The ERTA class will be attending the conference for one week.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity for the students to experience the logistics of a large scale event in action. The classes will be held by world-renowned instructors. Firefighters from all over the world will be there. This conference is a great opportunity for the students to begin making connections networking with people in Fire Service, Emergency Medical Services and business in the field of public safety and experience the ‘Brotherhood’ of the Fire/EMS Service,” Jeff Lawley, NREMT-P, Pl. Emergency Medical Services and classroom educator said.
Lawley continued, “I am looking forward to seeing the kids in action. The class will be staying at Indianapolis Reserve Station 12; there they will be taking vitals on firefighters, using organizational skills and problem solving skills. They will set-up and tear down some of the most amazing props and continue to make friends to last a lifetime.”
Zack Swets, senior at Portage High School said, “My dad is a firefighter and I want to go into firefighting but I also want to pursue a career in nursing.”
Corey Alfredson, junior at Valparaiso High School said, ”I am really looking forward to all the training we are going to receive but I am also looking forward to the adventure of living in a fire station and working right alongside firefighters.”
This is the first time Lawley is taking the ERTA class to the FDIC. This opportunity was made possible by the students actively fundraising and donations from sponsors.