New LSR7 Firefighter Academy provides a strong pipeline of qualified firefighters
Extricating accident victims from vehicles, climbing aerial ladders and suppressing fires are not part of a typical high-school student’s school day. But seniors enrolled in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s new Firefighter Academy aren’t typical. These hands-on learning opportunities, along with classroom instruction, are preparing them for a career in firefighting.
Through the program, which launched this fall, students are immersed in the Lee’s Summit Fire Department’s firefighter training while earning national firefighter, hazardous materials and other industry-recognized certifications. In addition to a collaborative relationship with the Lee’s Summit Fire Department, the new program partners with both the University of Central Missouri and Metropolitan Community College as students continue their education.
The Firefighter Academy, offered at Lee’s Summit R-7’s Summit Technology Academy (STA), is open to students in the Lee’s Summit School District as well as STA’s 44 sending high schools, all from the metro-area’s Missouri side.
Firefighter students attend classes at Summit Technology Academy each morning while also participating in hands-on activities at various Lee’s Summit fire stations.
“Some of the hands-on work they do includes performance tests: extrication (cutting through cars), live fire burns (building, car, propane tank, dumpster), roof operations (learning how to stand on a pitch and use tools), confined spaces and climbing aerial ladders,” said Chad Nading, Lee’s Summit Fire Department a retired firefighter and the course’s instructor. “These are all being done in front of state evaluators who will assess if students have passed.”
Nading has 29 years of experience in emergency response, 26 years in firefighting and has taught firefighting skills at both the Kansas City Fire Academy and Johnson County Community College. The course is guided by standards from the National Fire Protection Association and the Missouri state fire marshal, he added.
The new program is the result of discussions involving Lee’s Summit R-7 Superintendent David Buck and Lee’s Summit Fire Department officials, Nading said. Both organizations work together to create a partnership designed to address the need for local firefighters.
Buck said the Firefighter Academy helps meet the needs of both students and business partners.
“Firefighter positions are plentiful in the Kansas City metro area and are high-wage careers,” the Lee’s Summit superintendent said. “We created this program in partnership with Lee’s Summit Fire Department to provide students with a pathway to these rewarding careers.”
The Lee’s Summit City Council recently approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and school district allowing the Lee’s Summit Fire Department to assist with the new academy by loaning equipment, providing guest instructors and offering use of its facilities.
“LSFD is a great partner and shares training resources — equipment, facilities and staff — which helps students earn the certifications,” Nading said. “This ensures there’s a strong pipeline of qualified firefighters and provides opportunity for students.”
Thanks to the agreement with Lee’s Summit Fire Department, the Summit Technology Academy students participate in drills such as operating fire hoses for suppressing car and structure fires, extricating victims from vehicle accidents and acquiring skills at a burn tower. They also learn how to provide emergency first aid to patients.
Although there are other high-school firefighting programs in the area, the Lee’s Summit Firefighter Academy’s ability to work directly with the local fire department is unique, Nading added.
During this inaugural year, the Firefighter Academy currently has six students.
“All of our students have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in emergency response,” he said.
For more information about the new Fire Academy, go here.
This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM.