A Fort Knox Middle High School student works to extinguish the flames in a practice car fire Nov. 19, 2021 during unique training as part of a yearlong certification course.

FORT KNOX, Ky. – It wasn’t an average high school fire drill for four Fort Knox Middle High School students Nov. 19.

Students enrolled in a unique program involving a partnership between FKMHS and the Fort Knox Fire Department participated in an active fire training event Friday morning where they practiced putting out a car fire. This event is part of a yearlong certification course students are invited to sign up for.

Fort Knox firefighter Lt. Kaleb Draper is an instructor for the course. He likened the experience to that of trade schools, where students receive hands-on training to prepare them for a future career.

Four students get their protective fire gear on and receive instructions as they prepare for car fire training Nov. 19, 2021.

Four students get their protective fire gear on and receive instructions as they prepare for car fire training Nov. 19, 2021.

Draper said for these students, however, it’s more than just preparation.

“If and when they complete all the required training that we put on for them, they will be certified in the state of Kentucky to be a firefighter,” he said.

Following their graduation, students who complete the program will then have the option to apply for a job as a firefighter. Assistant training chief Jacob Geer said while this training certifies the students in the state of Kentucky, the program is uniquely beneficial to military students who move often.

“Kentucky will transfer to most other states, I think to 48 out of 50,” said Geer. “After this they can apply for city jobs, or join a volunteer fire department and be certified and ready to fight a fire.”

A total of four Fort Knox Middle High School students took turns Nov. 19, 2021 putting out a practice car fire during a firefighting certification program. Each student had a “buddy” veteran firefighter work closely with them during the training event.

A total of four Fort Knox Middle High School students took turns Nov. 19, 2021 putting out a practice car fire during a firefighting certification program. Each student had a “buddy” veteran firefighter work closely with them during the training event.

The program provides students with the required 150 hours of specified training needed to receive their certification. Upon completion, they will be given a special certificate along with their diploma at their high school graduation.

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Editor’s note: To view more photos of the event, visit the Fort Knox Flickr page.