To go to CATEC’s website, click here.
The High School CATEC Programs are available to all Albemarle County and Charlottesville City Public School students free of charge (non-resident students pay tuition). CATEC Programs meet for half-day and include practical, hands-on training in a variety of exciting career fields. Transportation to and from base schools is provided for Charlottesville City and Albemarle County students (non-resident students provide their own transportation). Students who would like to enroll in CATEC should talk with their high school counselor.
Over the past 15 years, CATEC has offered the Firefighting course. Students must be 16 years of age or older by the start of school to be eligible for the course. The first semester includes fire department organization and procedures. Supervised internships are provided with fire and rescue and are managed by the instructor, Captain Bobby Elliott, a firefighter with 30 plus years of experience. Second semester focuses on fire-ground management and operations. The course requires strenuous physical activity & occasional exposure to smoke-filled environments.
Through their work in the course and after passing the tests, students earn several certifications including, State Firefighter I, State Firefighter II, CPR, First Aid, Hazardous Material Operation, FEMA 100, 200, and 700. In addition, highway safety is covered during incidents for first responders and introduction to technical rescue. Students earn 6 dual enrollment college credits through Reynolds Community College and 2 dual enrollment college credits through PVCC in CPR and Basic First Aid. This preparation sets the stage for many students to join or advance in the ranks of local fire companies, and in some cases, where students are already volunteering. Captain Elliott has mentored a number of graduates to become full-time firefighters over his 14 years. Whether it’s locally with Albemarle County, Fairfax, or the military, CATEC Firefighting Alumni are making a major impact in the field with expert training and a comprehensive curriculum that goes beyond the basics.
Captain Elliott says, “I’ve had students who wouldn’t even put their foot on the first rung of the ladder, but after this class they go on to receive multiple certifications. It’s exciting to see how they progress and to watch them at the end of the school year when they get that stack of certificates and they’ve done all this, it’s a cool thing.”
