Coronado High School in Scottsdale is launching a fire science academy.
Starting next school year, students will be able to earn six industry certifications before graduating from high school.
The program is a collaboration between Scottsdale Unified School District, the East Valley Institute of Technology, the Scottsdale Fire Department, and the Scottsdale Charros. It’s designed to provide students with hands-on experience and training in fire science and emergency medical services.
Coronado High School Principal Melinda Splitek said the two-year program will give students a leg-up whether they want to be firefighters or pursue careers in related fields.
“You can get a degree in city management, you can get a full-blown degree in fire science," she said. "So there’s a lot of things that you can do, even things that may not seem like an obvious connection, but physical therapy and kinesiology.”
This Coronado Fire Science Academy will be open to students across SUSD, as well as those from surrounding areas.
Students will be able to get six certifications: two in fire, one in being an EMT, one in hazardous materials, one in wildland firefighting, and one in first aid and CPR.
Splitek said there's already an abundance of interest in the program.
