Berkeley High firefighter program offers students career after graduation

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Students at Berkeley High School have a new program to enroll in that can give them a job after high school graduation.

Students at Berkeley High say they are excited to learn the skills needed to become a firefighter.

“So, this is actually really a one-of-a-kind program here in the Lowcountry. For students here, Berkeley High School will actually have the opportunity to get their firefighter certification through the fire Academy,” said Chief Michael Pierce, an instructor with the Berkeley High School Fire Program.

Fourteen students are currently enrolled in the first years of the program.

After two years of completed enrollment, students can become certified firefighters in South Carolina.

Some students in the program shared their reasons for enrollment.

I like the way how the fire services; everybody’s a family. I like how everybody bonds over one thing,” said Michael Johnson, a student.

Some students said they joined due to family reasons when asked why.

“Mainly because of my dad, honestly. I really got into the service to just, I guess, carry on what he had and finish what he couldn’t finish, really,” said Aidan French, a student.

French’s dad was firefighter Michael French, who died while fighting the Sofa Super Store fire on June 18th, 2007. French was just two years old at the time.

“I was pretty young when he was in the fire service, but all I know is that he was a really good fireman,” said French. “Every fireman I talked to, he was like, if you are half the fireman he was, you’ll be a damn good fireman. So yeah, he was a good guy.”

Instructor Pierce says he is grateful to help with the program and make a difference in students’ lives.

“I don’t know that I’m deserving of being the person to do this, but these kids make it worth coming to work every day,” Pierce said. “They have a great attitude, and they work hard. They have a passion for helping others. It makes it worth it every single day.”

The school will hold a fire program graduation ceremony in May.