Tenn. Town Finds New Well For Recruits

Oct. 4, 2004
The department has recruited ten students as firefighters.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Some Tennessee Tech University students are getting their tuition paid by the Cookeville Fire Department.

The department has recruited ten students as firefighters.

They work a 24-hour shift every third day -- minus the hours they're in classes.

The city reimburses them for tuition and gives them 150 dollars for books. Student firefighters must have a 2-point-oh grade point average in their first two years -- two point-five, beginning with their junior year.

They also must take an eight-week basic firefighter school during the summer at the state fire academy.

The program costs the city about eight-thousand dollars per student firefighter.

The university immediately endorsed the program after Fire Chief Gene Schmid received approval from the City Council earlier this year.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!