Lower Bucks Today

Bucks County Community College, in collaboration with Sen. Farry (R-6), has announced a new educational initiative aimed at local high school students. The Fire and Emergency Services Co-Op Program will be available to students entering the 12th grade in the 2025-2026 academic year. This program is a partnership involving Bucks County Emergency Health Services, Bucks County Community College, and several high schools within Bucks County.

The program will take place during the latter part of the school day at the Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center in Croyden. It offers students 400 hours of industry training, nine college credits, and various professional certifications at no cost.

This co-op program targets not only those interested in joining fire departments or ambulance squads but also current volunteers seeking further training. Additionally, it provides opportunities for students aiming to pursue careers as EMTs, firefighters, dispatchers, nurses, physician assistants, among others. These fields often require specific skills that the co-op aims to provide.

Senator Farry expressed his support for this initiative by highlighting its potential impact on recruitment challenges faced by local volunteer fire departments: “I know firsthand the difficulty our local volunteer fire departments have with recruitment and retention of new members,” he stated. He added that he has been actively involved in legislative efforts to address these issues and sees this program as a valuable opportunity for students and community safety.