Graduates and current students attend a recent training session.
Photos: City of Sanford
By Megan Boisvert, City of Sanford Communications Coordinator
The City of Sanford has seen firsthand how the Sanford Regional Technical School (SRTC) helps prepare students for the workforce, with seven full-time Fire Department staff who began their careers in the SRTC classrooms. Sanford’s integrated High School and Regional Technical Center features state-of-the-art training programs for first responders. Among these programs are Firefighter I & II and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, which allow students to earn professional-level certification as part of their high school education. Graduates can leave with both a Firefighter I & II state certification and a Basic EMT license, providing a direct pathway into firefighting careers or opportunities for further education and advancement.
SRTC Firefighting program students participate in hands-on dumpster fire training.
For students who may not thrive in a traditional classroom setting, the hands-on learning environment of SRTC offers a different way to excel. Sanford Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Johnson said, “It’s important to Sanford Tech that every student finds success, and they recognize that the path looks different for everyone. It’s not just about how many students go to college after graduation, it’s about helping each student discover the option that’s the best fit and offers them the greatest potential for success.”
That sentiment resonates with parents like Deanna Farrell, whose son Degan is currently enrolled in the Firefighting and EMT programs. She said the experience has “completely changed the trajectory of my son’s future. These programs educate in a way that clicks for him, expecting commitment and responsibility while combining theory with hands-on skill application. Couple this with the community connections and experiences, and he’s more prepared for the real world.”
Sanford Firefighter/Paramedic Alex DeLorge added that the program helped him develop professional and personal maturity early on, explaining, “The programs offer a step into adulthood. You go through interviews, you’re given adult expectations, and you’re treated like an adult in return. It gives you the chance to mature and learn accountability.”
The Firefighter program is led by Harold Smith, a longtime captain with the Sanford Fire Department who left his position with the city to dedicate himself to training the next generation of first responders, many of whom now serve beside his former colleagues. Sanford Fire Paramedic Adam Small said, “Harold was so enthusiastic and a great teacher. All the instructors go above and beyond to keep students engaged and prepare them for life after graduation.”
Those community connections often translate directly into local employment. “The networking opportunities I had during this program are the reason I work where I do today,” said Small. Sanford Assistant Fire Chief Rick Smith agrees that the program has produced exceptional candidates, noting that “the employees we hire from this program come in far more prepared to work. We’ve seen such strong applicants that we even changed our minimum hiring age requirement so students can apply right out of school.”
Assistant Chief Smith has worked with SRTC students for many years, visiting classrooms, assisting with training, and mentoring future first responders. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “It’s rewarding to see the kids I once taught now working in our department. You touch a life, and there’s a ripple effect. You help people who then go on to help others. Training the next generation ensures that this cycle of service continues.”
The reach of the partnership between SRTC and the city’s fire department extends beyond Sanford; many graduates go on to work in fire and rescue departments throughout York County, helping to make the entire region a safer place to live.
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