Hamilton Heights EMS/First Responder Day opens door to career possibilities

Last week, all Hamilton Heights fourth- and eighth-grade students, along with some high school students, had the opportunity for an up-close and personal look at career opportunities as part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and First Responder Day.

The event, conducted at Hamilton Heights Middle School (HHMS), introduced students to EMS and first responder careers that involve serving the community with basic medical care to being the first to respond during a medical emergency or accident.

Students had the chance to learn about careers that align with their interests and skills so they can start to narrow down what careers to pursue in the future. They were also exposed to different types of careers within these fields that they may not have imagined from various agencies from around Hamilton County and the state who were there to support the event.

Students rotated through stations where they could explore, see simulations, demonstrations, and learn from those professionals working in these crucial jobs every day.

The fire departments shared the different calls they receive, such as house fires and medical calls, as well as showed students their vehicles, safety gear, and explained how the different equipment is used and that their work involves much more than fighting fires.

Police Officers showed their vehicles and equipment to students and answered questions about their day-to-day responsibilities. Students got to meet Simon, a comfort therapy dog and member of the Cicero K9 Unit. They also learned that in law enforcement, you can do a lot of things like specialize in tactics, canine unit, canine bomb unit, bomb squad, be a detective, and, like Hamilton County Sheriff Deputy Jon Tindall, work as a School Resource Officer (SRO).

“This event was all about exposure,” said Connor James, CTE Business and Preparing for College and Careers Teacher and Reaching New Heights contact at HHMS. “Out of the 350-plus students who attended, I’m more than confident a handful of them changed the vision they have for their professional lives today. That is powerful and hard to quantify. That is what Reaching New Heights is all about. These moments are not possible without all the community partners pulling in the same direction and believing in the power of career exposure events like this.”

“I was very excited about having our personnel participate in this event,” Cicero Fire Chief Lance Overholser said. “It presented us with the opportunity to reach students and pique their interest in a career they may not have considered. There is a great deal of opportunity in this field as an EMT, paramedic, and/or firefighter, locally and around the country. In fact, students can start taking classes at age 16 and at 18 earn their firefighter certification – a great first step toward one of a variety of possible careers in emergency medical services and as a first responder.”

“We are always looking for ways to engage with students and improve our outreach to promote exciting careers in this field,” Jackson Township Fire Chief James Carter said. “This event provided us with an opportunity to do just that. We enjoyed talking to the high school students in attendance who are interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter – which is in great demand. I thought the event went well and hope the experience helped spark interest in a career in public service.”

Hamilton County’s Emergency Management’s Logistics Section Chief Michael Franklin, Operations Section Chief Shawn Miller, and Logistics Volunteer Jake Zier were at the event complete with their command unit, drones, and gear. They thought it was a good event and a unique opportunity to share their role and function with the kids.

Rylee Worland, who is interested in the healthcare industry, could see herself as an emergency room doctor or nurse.

“I learned that you could text 911 if you are in a dangerous situation and can’t speak on the phone, and they respond just as fast,” she said. “I also learned that when dispatchers answer the phone, the first question they ask isn’t, ‘what’s your emergency?’ They ask for your location.”

Conner Benson, who could see himself as a police officer, learned more about how the people worked in the helicopter during an emergency.

Jaxson Glick said he didn’t envision himself in the type of jobs he learned about at this event. But one job that was interesting to him was a firefighter. He learned that this involves a lot more than just stopping fires. “It was also interesting because of the teamwork involved and I work well in a team because of the sports I play,” he noted.

“I learned that the team is everything,” added Mila Mann. “The skills you build now related to teamwork, are the skills that can help you tremendously if you pursue a first responder career in the future. From this experience, there were a few jobs displayed that I would consider pursuing like a lifeline nurse, 911 dispatcher, or a job with Hamilton County Emergency Management.”

This unique experience gave students an opportunity to engage with several local EMS and First Responder teams including the Arcadia Police, Cicero Fire/Rescue and Police, Jackson Township Fire/Rescue, IU LifeLine and EMT/Paramedic, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Hamilton County Emergency Management and Public Safety, and emergency room medical professionals. Thank you to all the individuals who participated and made this special event possible and impactful.

“The professionals on site that day helped plant the seeds of inspiration in the hearts and minds of many students in terms of career possibilities,” added James. “Meeting and learning more about those professionals who live and work in our community was a bonus for all of us.”

This program is a part of the middle school’s Reaching New Heights Program created to make career exposure a guaranteed experience. These experiences inspire students, increase engagement, and help students feel more confident about their future.