May 2, 2006
NEWSDirector prepared to face challenges
A new director as been appointed to oversee the MCC Fire Science program as it continues to grow at the Red Mountain campus.
Ron Knight, a retired firefighter from the Chandler Fire Department, began his tenure as director in January with the start of the Spring 2006 semester. He spent 26 1/2 years with the CFD and retired as a battalion chief. He is also a former instructor in the Fire Science program and taught classes there part-time for three semesters.
In taking over the program, which has been training firefighters since 1979, Knight said it will be his job to run the program by working closely with its instructors.
All instructors are considered to be adjunct or part-time employees because they are current firefighters who teach classes on the areas that they specialize.
One of the challenges that Knight mentioned he will face is that the program is growing faster than expected, but believes he has an idea on how to handle it.
“What we have to do as a college is to continue to grow to meet the (number of) classes and to offer the best training and education that we can give these people to be prepared to be successful in getting a job,” he said.
Knight cited instances such as nearly 1,500 people applying for only 15 job openings with the CFD as a clear-cut sign that not only is there a demand for firefighter training, but that the job is becoming very competitive.
Sarah Johnson, a former fire science student, agreed with the director’s sentiment on the competitive nature. She attributed that to being one of the motives for her switching her major to nursing.
Knight said one of the tactics used by the program to weed out those who may not be suited to be a firefighter is the required physical training class. “Some of the classes like the fitness class, challenge you. It kind of gives you the idea that this is for real, that this is what fire people do,” he added.
Johnson said that the physical training class was difficult as it consisted of lots of running and carrying equipment. However, she did mention that she was one of the top people in her class, despite being female.
Knight also suggested that people who are interested in becoming firefighters to experience it first-hand before joining the program by way of ride-alongs or volunteering with a fire department.
Additionally, a new class has been added to the fire science program that will give those interested a different chance to experience the life before committing to it fully. Titled “Wildland Firefighter,” it is a course that will train students methods for fighting wild fires.
Knight said this is an indirect way for MCC to do it part in helping battle the seasonal blazes that generally occur in the summer months.
Students who complete the class will become certified and receive a Red Card that will allow them to be hired temporarily by departments such as the Forest Service, where, according to Johnson, they can earn upwards of $6,000 over just a few months.
Volume 43, Issue 14. Today is
Ron Knight
photo by Amanda Smith