Sylvania Township is taking a hands-on approach to training the next generation of first responders through a new Career Tech Partnership set to launch next fall — an initiative years in the making that connects classroom learning with real-world emergency response experience.

Sylvania Township Fire Assistant Chief Jeffrey Bennett and Sylvania Schools Career Readiness Coordinator Steve Urbanski recently presented details of the collaborative program, designed to provide high school students with a direct pathway into careers in fire and emergency medical services.

Trustee Neal Mahoney recalled that Bennett first introduced the concept during his 2023 interview for assistant chief and commended his persistence in bringing the idea to fruition.

“Several years ago, when we began planning to replace our old training tower, we did some brainstorming to see how else we could employ the new, more usable structure to benefit the community,” Bennett said. “At the same time, we had also noticed that both recruitment and retention of qualified firefighters were becoming a challenge. Developing our own fire training program for Sylvania high school students checked the boxes for both tower use and recruitment.”

Students who complete the program will become qualified hometown candidates for area fire departments, strengthening both local hiring pipelines and regional recruitment efforts. Bennett said the goal is to help graduates transition directly into career placement.

Armed with a program outline, Bennett and Township Fire Chief Chris Nye approached Sylvania Schools Superintendent Dr. Veronica Motley, who enthusiastically embraced the concept, as did Urbanski. He noted that he and his staff had been exploring ways to expand public safety offerings within the district’s Career Tech curriculum.

“The stars just aligned, and forming a partnership with the Sylvania Township Fire Department propelled this program into reality,” Urbanski said.

Two additional educational partners, Penta Career Center and Owens Community College, will support the effort. The program will operate under Penta’s fire charter, with off-duty Sylvania Township firefighters and Penta staff serving as instructors through the career center. Owens’ instructors will provide the program’s medical training component.

Emergency Medical Technician training requires students to log a designated number of hours riding in an ambulance. Through the partnership, students will complete those hours alongside Sylvania Township firefighters — and potentially future coworkers.

To qualify, students must pass a comprehensive pre-employment medical evaluation.

More than 50 students have already expressed interest in the program; however, class size will be limited to 24 juniors because of student-to-instructor ratios. Participants will be bused to Sylvania Township Fire Station No. 4 for classes held in the department’s training room.

“Not only is this convenient for students, but they will also be in a working fire station and see firsthand how important training is,” Bennett said.

Second-year students will attend three classes, and upon high school graduation and completion of the nine- to 10-month paramedic program at Owens Community College, they will be eligible for employment.

Bennett noted that traditional pathways to becoming a firefighter/EMT can cost between $10,000 and $12,000 and require attending the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg in addition to EMT training. By contrast, the new partnership program is expected to cost students between $1,000 and $1,500.

In addition to the fire training program, Bennett envisions collaboration with other Sylvania Career Tech students. Plans are underway to construct a 2,000-square-foot training home on-site with assistance from the district’s construction program. The structure will be used for search and rescue training with tear-down walls for repeated exercises, with career tech students returning to repair the facility so the training process can be repeated.

“At Sylvania Schools, we pride ourselves on excellence through opportunity. Through the partnership of the Sylvania Township Fire Township, Penta Career Center and Owens Community College, our Sylvania students have an opportunity like never before. We are excited about this opportunity for students to earn their Fire and EMT certification before graduating from high school,” Urbanski offered.

Groundbreaking for the new multi-level training tower is expected in late spring on land adjacent to Fire Station No. 4, with anticipated completion by fall. The tower will feature movable walls and theatrical smoke to simulate realistic search-and-rescue conditions, along with spaces designed for forcible entry, rope work, roof ventilation, and life safety training scenarios.

“This program has only been made possible thanks to the support of the Sylvania Township Fire Department administration, the Sylvania Township trustees, Sylvania Schools administration championed by Dr. Motley and Steve Urbanski, the school board, Penta Career Center, and Owens Community College,” Bennett said. “This is a win-win-win program for the fire service, schools, students and the community.”