Firefighting & EMT Program

    • Course Description

      Our Firefighting and Emergency Medical Technician major is an academy level course that immerses students into academy level training. Using a wide range of firefighting and life-saving medical and diagnostic equipment, students develop their skills through real world emergency scenarios and field experiences.

    • Prerequisites at the Time of Junior Year Enrollment

      Minimum of 7 core credits (1.5 must be English, 1 must be Math, 1 must be lab-based, year-long Science), on track to graduate

      Prerequisites at the Time of Application

      “C” or higher in last semester English course(s) (“C” includes “C+”, “C” or “C-”), 1 credit of Algebra or concurrent enrollment projected

    • Credits & Certifications Offered

      High School Credit
      • 3 CTE Year One
      • 3 CTE Year Two
      College Credit
      • St. Louis Community College - 10 credits
      • Southwestern Illinois College - 6 credits 

      Certifications
      • Fire I and Fire II certifications
      • Emergency Medical Technician Basic certification through National Registry
      • National First Responder certification
      • Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations certification
       
      *College credit and certification are not guaranteed. Their attainment is dependent on student performance in both the course and on external industry assessments. All certifications are through external agencies and the accommodations permitted will vary from assessment to assessment. Additionally, students must participate in the full two years of the program to be potentially eligible for all certifications listed.

    • How Will My Time Be Spent? 

      Program Year Classroom Time Lab Time
      CTE Year One 26%-50% 51%-75%
      CTE Year Two 26%-50% 51%-75%

    • Tech is Real World Learning

      Students in this program learn through the use of a variety of industry grade tools and equipment and texts. Their real world labs also require uniforms and personal protective equipment.

      Tools & Equipment

      • Personal protective equipment
      • Hand tools
      • Power tools
      • Pneumatic tools
      • CPR practice equipment
      • Ladders
      • Hoses
      • Medical equipment
      • Emergency vehicles
      • Dispatch technology

      Academic Materials

      • IFSTA Essentials, 7th ed. 
      • AAOS Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured

      Uniform Requirements

      • Navy blue work pants or shorts
      • Firefighting t-shirts (EMS collared style polo shirt in year two)
      • Black, safety-toe shoes and black belt

    • Essential Skills Needed for Success

      Students learn the entry level skills necessary to prepare for post-secondary education and the highly competitive world of work. Traditionally, successful students have mastered the processing and/or physical skills listed below prior to enrollment.

      Core Essential Skills

      • Display professional behavior at ALL times (verbal & nonverbal cues) and in high stress environment; adaptability; resilience

      • Read human behavior and make safe choices; must be able to follow all safety rules and assume personal responsibility; patience and tolerance of patients and their behavior

      • Read and comprehend postsecondary text independently

      • Empathy and ability to expression compassion

      • Attention to detail (able to note that a patient’s health is declining)

      • Take the initiative; perform tasks without having to be told; complete tasks in a timely manner and in proper sequence

      • Able to climb, lift and carry objects of 50 pounds or more, and handle taxing physical activity

      • Tolerate a firefighting or EMT environment which includes high places, small spaces, extreme temperatures, dirty spaces, loud noises, and a variety of industry-related smells

      For a complete list of essential skills please review the Course Overview Guide.

    Program Information

    • Dave HopeDavid Hope
      Firefighting & Emergency Medical Technician
      314.989.7454
      Send an Email

      Mr. David Hope joined South Tech High School in 2009 and serves as the Chief of South Tech's Fire and EMS academy. Chief Hope has been in the Fire and EMS service since 1999 and is a Missouri state certified firefighter and Paramedic, he also holds over 30 other state and federal certifications. Chief Hope is a state-certified fire, EMS, AHA, FEMA, and POST instructor. Chief Hope worked for 7 years as a firefighter in Jefferson County and has worked as a paramedic for multiple hospitals and EMS agencies in the St. Louis area including the US Air Force at Scott Air Force Base. Chief Hope currently serves as the national Chairman for the National Education Associations Career and Technical Education Caucus, where he represents CTE students and teachers from around the country in education issues.