NEW
PROGRAM BENEFITS FIREFIGHTERS
WTFD WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS
Courtesy of the Messenger Press
Story by: Frank C. D’Amico, Messenger Press Staff Writer
July 19, 2000
Shown Left to Right: Firefighter Frank Petrangeli, Chief Al Walker, and Firefighter Melody Correa.
WASHINGTON--The
two most recent additions to the Washington Township Fire Department have
benefited from a new training program.
Melody Correa and Frank Petrangeli recently completed the first Mercer
County Technical Fire Science Course.
Ms. Correa, 18, was named valedictorian of the 14-member class, which
graduated June 23.
The course is designed to provide students with college credit while they
prepare to become firefighters.
During the final year of high school, students spend take these classes
after spending the morning at high school.
Ms. Correa said the students took the course at the John T. Dempster Fire
Service Training Center in Lawrence.
"At first the course was weird because I was the only female,"
Ms. Correa said. "Then
after I got to know everyone, it ended up being pretty cool."
Washington Township Fire Chief Al Walker said the course is an
improvement of past practices.
"The biggest advantage of this course is that the students get
practical training during high school time," he said.
Chief Walker said firefighters used to begin training at 18, but now can
be finished at that age with this course.
"Plus, they are exposed to more hands-on learning because they are
there four hours every day, five days a week," he said.
Previously, students had to take evening classes and the classes were
shorter and met less often, Chief Walker said.
"Now, students can get into training a year earlier," he said.
During the course, the students received state certifications as
emergency medical technicians, emergency medical dispatchers, basic
communications officers and firefighters.
In addition, the students received 15 college credits from Mercer County
Community College.
Mr. Petrangeli, also 18, said the hardest part of the course was the
emergency medical technician component because it required the most studying.
Ms. Correa said she wanted to become a firefighter because she spent much
time around them. She said she was influenced by Chief Walker, her future
stepfather.
Ms. Correa received the Lorraine Schwartz Memorial Scholarship from the
Washington Township Ladies Club. Ms. Schwartz was a former mayor and Board of
Education member in Washington.