Earlier this month the Bristol Borough School District announced an exciting new fire cadet/ EMS pilot curriculum coming to high school students.

The school district will be serving as a state wide site for the program, with plans on adding courses for the 2022-23 academic year., said  said Superintendent Dr Thomas Shaffer.

“The District is planning on adding the first phase of the course for Juniors for the 2022 – 2023 school year.  The Bucks County Community College is developing the curriculum so it will be in compliance with PA laws regarding credits and firefighter certification.  It is a two year program.  Students who complete the course will have Firefighter I Certification and they will receive college credits from Bucks County Community College”

Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack  said he’s been  involved in the development of the program.

“It is a great idea and initiative on the part of everyone involved including Academic Oversight Committee, Bristol Borough School District, Bucks County Community College (BBCC) and the Bucks County Emergency Services Training Center.” Slack said.

School Board President David J. Chichilitti said he think’s its a great idea especially for those thinking about careers as first responders.

Dr Shaffer is leading the way on this so students in our district will benefit from the classes and perhaps they’ll look to join borough fire companies in the near future, he said.

District officials said there will be a number of future presentations about the new academic offering as programming gets hammered out.

The primary funding is coming from the District.  It is being added as part of the budget. Shaffer said.

“If things go well this, Bristol Borough will be a model for the entire state to follow” Shaffer said.

Also the district is pursuing adding a medical arts curriculum in conjunction with BBCC, which is still in its early stages, district officials said with plans to announce additional information once plans are formalized.