'09-'10 ROP Fire Tech Class Concludes

ROP students carry ladders during a search and rescue operation.

Twenty more future firefighters are better prepared to meet the rigorous demands of the job, after completing the ROP fire tech class in Sacramento County. The year-long class wrapped up in May.

The class, which convened five days a week at their campus behind Sacramento Metro Fire Station 21 on Greenback Lane, provided practical instruction for high school students interested in pursuing a career with the fire service.

ROP student Robert Aceves learns how to hold the drip torch.

The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the Sacramento County Office of Education worked in cooperation to make this ROP fire tech class possible.

"The class gives students a sense of direction and inspires them to follow their dream," said ROP instructor Jose Rios, who has been teaching the course for seven years.

The program also offers practical firefighter training from throwing ladders and forced entry to search and rescue drills.

Through the class, students were able to work towards earning certificates, including a first responder certificate and a 69 hour basic wildland firefighter certificate, which was earned after ROP students visited the CAL FIRE Academy in Ione.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THEIR VISIT TO THE CAL FIRE ACADEMY IN IONE.

ROP instructor Jose Rios presents a certificate to student Taylor Loheit.

In addition, the class visited the CPAT Testing Center in Sacramento and those that were over 18 had the unique opportunity of trying all eight CPAT events.

"ROP Fire Tech is a very practical program. There's a lot of hands-on drills and dealing with actual scenarios to help you prepare for the job," said Taylor Loheit, who graduated from the program this year and is starting fire academy this month. "We're given uniforms and equipment and we all take great pride in what we have here and we make the best of it."

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THEIR LAST CLASS WHICH INCLUDED A SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE.