Oxford (AL) – OHS students will benefit from hands-on experiences provided by Oxford City Schools, Oxford Fire Department, and Oxford City Schools to answer the age-old question “What do I want to do when I grow up?”

According to Lorie Denton (Oxford City Spokeswoman), thirty Oxford High School students will attend an expo at Oxford Fire Department on Wednesday, January 11, in order to determine if a career as a firefighter is right for them. The stations that will be available for hands-on training include special ops, pumper and equipment and turnout/SBCA. The training center will allow students to observe vehicle extraction, special ops rescue and structural firefighting. This expo was created by Vikki Sturkie (Oxford City Schools Career Coach) and Chief Gary Sparks (Oxford Fire) and their teams.

Dr. Shannon Stanley, Superintendent of Oxford City Schools, stresses the importance of this partnership, saying that “the partnership we have with Oxford Fire and the City of Oxford allows us to provide activities like the Expo to give students an deeper understanding of the occupations and professions available at home.”

The expo’s purpose is to attract candidates for the Oxford High Fire Academy in their senior years. The academy is led by Lt. Kyle Benson, Oxford Fire. It is part of the Career Tech pathway and is intended to give students a headstart on their career. After graduation, candidates can choose to go into a bridge program that will allow them to become certified firefighters in five weeks.

“In the past we have recruited high school students using a lecture-style approach to recruitment. “This year, we are taking it to the next stage by creating an expo which allows students to see and interact with emergency service professionals, and experience a day of emergency services,” said Lt. Benson.

Oxford Fire’s new approach to course advice coincides with that of Oxford City Schools, which uses data from YouScience to improve student service.

“YouScience data enabled Mrs. Sturkie not only to identify students who are interested in firefighting but also those who have the aptitude and skills for it. Marty Livingston is the director of career tech education at Oxford City Schools. “This data shows that a well-informed group of students will opt to enroll in the fire college program during the 2023-24 school years,” Marty Livingston says.

All students can use the YouScience results to help them choose their education path. There are career pathways at Oxford High School for nursing, TV production, engineering and marketing.

Oxford Fire Academy Expo Wednesday, January 11

Oxford Fire Training Center/Station 6

71 Public Works Drive

Oxford, AL 36203

Calendar of Events

8:30-9:00 for Students

9:00-9:35 Introduction

9:45-10.05 Wave 1 Hands on-rotation

10:05-10.25 Wave 2 Hands on-rotation 10/25-10:45 Wave3 Hands On-rotation 10-45-11:05 Wave4 Hands On-rotation 11/05-11:35 Lunch

11:35-11:50 Special Ops Scenario 12:00-12:20 Vehicle Extrication Scenario 12:30-12:45 Structural Firefighting Scenario 12:50-1:15 Fire Academy Presentation

Hands-on stations

  • * EMS Station

    FF Forbus, FF Cupp
  • * Pumper and Equipment FF Crosby and FF Bryant
  • * Special Ops

    Captain Gilchrist, FF Haynes
  • * Turnout and SCBA FF Mintz; FF OsborneScenarios

    • * Special Ops Scenario Captain Gilchrist
    • * Vehicle Extrication Scenario Captain Cochran
    • * Structural Firefighting Scenario Lieutenant Reaves