Artifact #84 - Program Challenges

We are proud of the fact that, of the approximately 24 schools that offer Fire and Rescue training, MTC is one of the few that offers a program where students can become fully-certified upon graduation.  Our students train in full gear at the area fire and rescue training grounds.  

In the future, we would like to work on increasing the number of non-traditional and minority students enrolled.  However, the majority of our students come from Rockingham County and a review of the percentage of minority students enrolled in County schools finds us to be not far off from that percentage.

The Fire and Rescue program was started just four years ago in a small classroom and lab.  Before investing a significant amount of money in a facility, we had to prove that student interest was there.  We now are certain that the student interest is there, but we know that our classroom and lab is inadequate for appropriate training.

Based on data from the VA Department of Education, it appears that average enrollment across the state in Fire and Rescue is 16 students.   The program at MTC is well above that average, with 29 students enrolled.  However, our enrollment numbers have gone up and down over the last few years, and some students who start the program drop out before the end of the school year.  Part of this is due to the fact that we changed instructors after the second year.  Our original instructor decided to go back to the Fire Department on a full-time basis.  Uncertainty as to who will be the teacher can make students hesitant to enroll.

Artifact #85 - Strategies to address challenges

1.  We have gone out to schools and set up presentations in area high schools regarding our Fire and Rescue program.  At these presentations, our counselor will talk with students about the opportunities available in our Fire and Rescue program.  We also provide prospective students and parents with brochures about the program.  We have included photos of non-traditional students in these brochures and our flyers(sample attached).  We do a variety of community outreach events at MTC (Open House, visitations, 5th grade tours) -see list under #87.   When we have these events, we enlist our female students to be 'Ambassadors' for the program.  They present information to our visitors.

2.  We have worked for over a year with our MTC Foundation, our local government, and our School Boards to present to them the need for improved facilities for Fire and Rescue.  In the Fall of 2010, we will open a new 17000 square foot addition that will house our Fire and Rescue and Health career programs.  For this new facility, we have secured a fire truck and ambulance to be housed in the lab.   Students will be able to do most of their training on our campus.

3.  Our instructor, Lieutenant Wayne Peer, has committed himself to this program and our students.  His annual reviews have been excellent.  He is well-respected by the area firefighters and students alike.  This consistency in our instructor makes for a solid reputation for our program.   Mr. Peer has undertaken on his own a campaign to recruit students to his program (see attached letter that he sends out to 9th, 10th grade students)  and to retain his first-year students.  Initial reports indicate that 100% of his first year students will return for the second year.