The classroom at the Utica High School Health and Human Services (HHS) Academy has turned into a training facility for students with the help of the Shelby Township Fire Department and Sterling Heights Fire Department.

The local fire departments have each presented three lessons so far this school year to the students, with the most recent lesson focused on CPR and choking skills.

“It's been great because the students are learning this from people who have experienced this in the field which makes it more relevant for them in their learning,” said Melissa Rice, HHS academy coach.

Students have also learned about patient assessment and history taking through this partnership thus far. Carolina DeChambeau, HHS junior, said that as students they get the best learning opportunity by applying what they have learned in class with the fire fighters and practicing real scenarios that are more likely to take place throughout the community.  

“Getting the chance to work side-by-side with first responders has really helped confirm my career goals of one day becoming an EMT/Fire Fighter,” Carolina DeChambeau said.

Warren Happell, training chief with the Shelby Township Fire Department, shared that his favorite thing about this partnership is seeing the students learn something new and to have them get value out of it.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Happell said. “Some of these students could end up working in Shelby Township so it’s a great way to foster that cooperation together for them to learn from.”

Rice echoed Happell in the opportunity that is available to both of the fire departments and HHS students through this partnership.

“Hopefully we can have students take that next step into an actual career and help our local municipalities fulfill some needs in getting qualified applicants,” Rice said.