Arlington School & Family Magazine April/May 2015 | Page 8

District Programs

American Dream Story: Fire
Academy Cultivates New Talent

The

Fire Academy has
also received the
Gold Award from
the Texas Association
of Partners in
Education.

6 Arlington School & Family - April/May 2015

A groundbreaking program created in Arlington was recently given statewide
recognition. The AISD Fire Academy trains select high school students from
Arlington’s six high schools on firefighting and emergency medical care and
enables graduates to immediately enter the workforce after successfully completing
the program, helping these students live their American Dream in their hometown
of Arlington.
The academy, which is a joint partnership between Arlington’s Fire Department,
Tarrant County College and the Arlington Independent School District, was
recognized by Texas Municipal League receiving a 2014 Municipal Excellence
Award in Public Safety. The Fire Academy has also received the Gold Award from
the Texas Association of Partners in Education.
To get accepted into the program students must have a 4.0 GPA (70 average), good
standing with attendance/discipline and fill out an application which includes a
one-page essay. Students must also complete Arlington Fire Department’s physical
agility test and conduct a panel interview. Applicants are selected based on the
information gathered on the student. †