From Classroom to Fireground: South Carolina’s High School Firefighter Pipeline

From Classroom to Fireground: South Carolina’s High School Firefighter Pipeline

Alexander Kimball

South Carolina’s Career and Technology Center (CTC) firefighter programs are setting the standard for early-entry firefighter education by preparing high school students, ages 16 and older, to meet NFPA 1010 professional qualifications for firefighters. These programs provide students with hands-on experience, build essential firefighting skills, and offer state certifications upon successful completion. In many cases, those certifications also create a pathway to national certification prior to graduation, strengthening both volunteer and career fire service recruitment pipelines across the state. Since last year, CTC programs have experienced a 20 percent increase in student enrollment, contributing dozens of trained graduates annually to local fire departments throughout South Carolina.

In this session, Captain Alexander Kimball, CTC Coordinator for South Carolina State Fire, will provide an in-depth look at how these programs operate. He will discuss curriculum structure, practical training evolutions, and the partnerships that make these programs successful. The session will explore program growth and impact, including enrollment trends, graduation numbers, and how CTC programs can help address ongoing staffing shortages. Attendees will also learn about the curriculum used in CTC classes and the certification pathways available through the South Carolina Fire Academy, FEMA, and other recognized organizations. In addition, the session will highlight the role of department partnerships, focusing on how local fire departments can host students for academy classes, provide mentorship opportunities, and develop future staffing through CTC graduates. Real-world success stories will be shared, showcasing students who have transitioned directly from high school into the fire service, along with testimonials from departments that have hired them.

Participants will leave with actionable insights on how to develop similar workforce pipelines in their own communities, a clearer understanding of the unique challenges associated with these programs, and practical guidance on building partnerships that prepare the next generation of firefighters.