Washington Township welcomes two members
By: Frank C. D’Amico
WASHINGTON – The two most recent additions to the Washington Township Fire Department have benefited from a new training program.
Melody Correa and Frank Petrangeli recently completed the first Mercer County Technical Fire Science Course.
Ms. Correa, 18, was named valedictorian of the 14-member class, which graduated June 23.
The course is designed to provide students with college credit while they prepare to become firefighters.
During the final year of high school, students spend take these classes after spending the morning at high school.
Ms. Correa said the students took the course at the John T. Dempster Fire Service Training Center in Lawrence.
"At first the course was weird because I was the only female," Ms. Correa said. "Then after I got to know everyone, it ended up being pretty cool."
Washington Township Fire Chief Al Walker said the course is an improvement of past practices.
"The biggest advantage of this course is that the students get practical training during high school time," he said.
Chief Walker said firefighters used to begin training at 18, but now can be finished at that age with this course.
"Plus, they are exposed to more hands-on learning because they are there four hours every day, five days a week," he said.
Previously, students had to take evening classes and the classes were shorter and met less often, Chief Walker said.
"Now, students can get into training a year earlier," he said.
During the course, the students received state certifications as emergency medical technicians, emergency medical dispatchers, basic communications officers and firefighters.
In addition, the students received 15 college credits from Mercer County Community College.
Mr. Petrangeli, also 18, said the hardest part of the course was the emergency medical technician component because it required the most studying.
Ms. Correa said she wanted to become a firefighter because she spent much time around them. She said she was influenced by Chief Walker, her future stepfather.
Ms. Correa received the Lorraine Schwartz Memorial Scholarship from the Washington Township Ladies Club. Ms. Schwartz was a former mayor and Board of Education member in Washington.