Firefighters Needed – Register NOW for RCC’s Fire Academy

Most people run from danger, but firefighters run to it. They are the unsung heroes we often take for granted everyday. We expect them to be there when we need them the most. 

Imagine calling 911, the operator tries to contact the fire department to dispatch a fire truck to your emergency situation, but no one is there to answer the call. Seems far fetched, but it’s happening. 

Across the United States, many fire departments are being faced with shortages of firefighters.

In Vermont, firefighters had to leave their station unstaffed for up to an hour because of a worker shortage, leaving a call for assistance unanswered. In New York, residents have been worried about staffing shortages in their fire and rescue departments and the response times it takes for calls to be answered. And in Arizona, one fire station had to shut down and was closed for almost an entire day in November.

The shortage is real and the effects are starting to be felt by communities all over, including here in North Carolina.

In response to the growing concern, Robeson Community College will offer a day and night fire academy, starting in January 2022, through its continuing education and workforce division.

“There is a strong need for volunteer firefighters and certified firefighters,” said Robert Ivey, director of fire and rescue programs at RCC. “We need more individuals to step forward to help curb the shortage and to make sure that we have the ability to provide our community with the quick response they expect to receive, and need to receive, in the event of an emergency.”

The day academy will begin January 5 and end April 9 and will meet from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The night academy will begin January 4 and end December 15 and will meet from 6:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

“We are offering both the day and night classes to meet the needs of those who may have jobs and want to go to school part-time, or for those who want to go to school full-time during the day,” said Ivey.

Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to enroll in the program.

To register, please contact Robert Ivey at 910-272-3329 or rivey@robeson.edu.