Verde Valley teens prepare to be future firefighters

COTTONWOOD, AZ – With wildland firefighting becoming a year-long battle in Arizona, some first responders are training future firefighters who haven’t even graduated from high school yet.

Training is underway at the Verde Fire Training Center in Cottonwood, where more than a dozen high school students representing Camp Verde High School, Mingus Union High Schools and others in the Verde Valley are initiated by Senior Instructor Jarrett Tarver of Sedona Fire. .

“Someday these guys might be in the truck next to me and know that I’ve been a part of their life and growing their careers and that’s always the payoff. That’s why we do. We want to give them the basics to be successful, ”Tarver said.

He fought fires large and small across Arizona for 20 years.

Now Captain Tarver is teaching cadets in this class to do the same.

“Some of these guys will go on and be full-time firefighters. That’s our future. It’s a great opportunity, hopefully, to catch our kids, teach them the basics, and develop them the skills they want. need to become a full-time firefighter and take my place when I’m on the road, ”he said.

This is part of Yavapai College’s Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education fire science program, which enables high school students in Verde Valley to earn college credit, become industry certified, and gain experience. valuable practice before graduating from high school. .

One of the students is Madison Mathis, a senior at a Union Mingus high school. She wants to be a star after finishing the program.

She’s the only girl in the class, and although that has its challenges, Mathis says it’s all in the family.

“I definitely didn’t have the best bond with men before, then I came to this course. I had no choice because they have to become my brothers and I have to become their sister for us to be a fire team. solid, ”she said. Explain.

While Mathis’ aspirations would keep her closer to home, her junior comrade Michael Magenot of Camp Verde High School will use what he has learned here, while serving our country in the United States Navy.

“Everyone on the boat is pretty much a firefighter and if I know most of the stages already, it won’t be as difficult for me when I get to training camp,” said Magenot.

No matter which route they take, Captain Tarver and his fellow instructors know the people of Arizona will be in good hands once the cadets graduate.

Most cadets who participate in the program tend to take the forest firefighting route, but this program helps them become certified in most aspects of firefighting, including EMT certification. In rural Arizona, it’s common to see firefighters wearing multiple hats.

To find out more about the program, Click here.