MEXICO — Presentations made by the instructors of the Region 9 School of Applied Technology fire science and metal trades programs showed board members Wednesday that each of the vocational programs work together.

“The kids aren’t just learning what’s in front of them,” board member Betty Barrett said.

Jon Longley, fire science instructor, and Pete Barlow, instructor of metal trades, often assist each other in skills that can sometimes cross educational fields.

“We’ve added some forestry students to welding, as well,” Barlow said.

Sometimes the students in the metal trades will help out with repair or other needs by the fire science program.

“There is much interaction with other programs,” Barlow said.

Longley also learned at Wednesday’s meeting that his fire science students were honored by the Paris Fire Department chief for their work during two recent major fires in the Paris area.

Region 9 director Brenda Gammon presented Longley with a letter from Paris fire Chief Brad Frost.

In the letter, Frost wrote, “The professionalism demonstrated by these young people should be commended. They completed every assigned task quickly and safely, without complaint.”

“It’s great they can give back to the community before they get their certificates,” Region 9 board Chairman Norman Clanton said.

“This is something the fire chiefs wanted and have supported,” Barrett said. “We are able to see firsthand what they learn.”

Longley currently has 12 students in the first- and second-year classes. When students successfully complete both years, they are certified as Firefighter I.

Barlow said he currently has six students in the second year of the metal trades program and eight in the first year, numbers he said are unusually low.

Barlow was named Maine Career and Technical Educator of the Year at a statewide conference last fall.

He said his students are getting some practical experience in working conditions from the extreme cold and snow the area has been experiencing.

“It’s been a good thing this year,” he said. “They work in the snow and cold, and they’ve got the full experience.” 

Gammon said the forestry program students were also honored by the Mahoosuc Land Trust in Bethel for their work on the land trust’s Whitecap Mountain Preserve.

In other matters at Wednesday’s meeting, the board approved an overnight Skills U.S.A. competition trip to Bangor on March 14 and 15. Barlow said 20 vocational students will compete, which is the largest number since he has been taking students to the event.

Barlow, along with instructors Lloyd Williams, Jen Barlow and Norman Jamison, will accompany the students.