Fire science classes give Bonanza students a head start on careers
A fire engine from Las Vegas Fire Station No. 6 can routinely be seen parked outside Bonanza High School. The school does not have a faulty alarm system or overzealous pyromaniacs. The nearby station’s firefighters often volunteer at the school, giving hands-on education to students in the fire science classes.
Bonanza, 6665 Del Rey Ave., is the first school in the Clark County School District to offer fire science as an elective. The program is in its second year.
School officials are developing curriculum for the third year, which they hope can include college credit and training certified by the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System.
Being able to get students certified as emergency medical technicians would be important to the program, said teacher Preston White, because 90 percent of the calls fire stations respond to are medical-related. It’s tough right now, he said, because the program is new and still gaining traction. Rancho High School’s Medical Academy offers an EMT program.
Bonanza students use the same textbook and get the same education as firefighters in rookie school, said White, but they are not able to do most of the physical training. Students learn about fire protection, chemistry and fire prevention techniques.
"We provide these kids an opportunity to see an actual career rather than a core subject," White said. "If we get them going early, they could actually work for their EMT certification. It would give them an opportunity to join the work force."
For junior Victoria Montenegro, who wants to be an EMT after graduation, that would be huge.
"It would give me a better boost in the direction I want to go in," she said. "It’s a good program to go into even if you don’t want to go into the (fire) department. It keeps you well-rounded, makes you more aware of situations around you and kind of keeps your community safe."
Montenegro said she loves watching the firefighters go on calls from the nearby station because she has an understanding of what is taking place and the procedures they go through.
She and her classmates visited Station No. 6 last year for a half day and were given a tour of the facility and allowed on the fire engines.
"This is actually one of my favorite classes," she said. "It’s hands-on, and it makes me more aware of everything around me."
The school works closely with local fire departments, many of which have made visits to talk to the kids. All of the classroom equipment, such as a full-body turnout and other gear, was donated by local stations.
One test for students, just like rookie firefighters, is getting the turnout on in less than one minute.
Most of the tests consist of basic knowledge of fire behavior, equipment, building construction, communication and more.
Sophomore Travis Reitz cannot get enough of it. Travis was determined from a young age to be a firefighter. He plans to join the Las Vegas Fire Explorers program when he turns 16 and get experience fighting live fires.
He was excited to learn in eighth grade that Bonanza would be offering a course to help him prepare for his career.
"I live right over here, and it just worked out perfect," he said. "It’s been really good. We learned a lot. It just worked out perfect."
Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.