MEXICO — Tradition, pride, honor and integrity are more than words on a patch. For students in the newest Region 9 School of Applied Science, they are values to live by. Fire science students learn to manage risks as they engage in real-life simulations.

For some students, it’s a matter of family pride. Dirigo sophomore Jacob Miele said, “I choose this program because I know my grandfather was a firefighter for 30 years and I wanted to continue the Miele legacy.”

Cody Dux, a Telstar senior, agreed, “Fire science is a family tradition and it’s a very respectable job.”

Other students see fire science as a stepping-stone. “I wanted to have some tools and experience under my belt to go into the service with,” explained Tiffany Lake, a Mountain Valley High School junior.

Katlyn Hemingway added, “I want to get a head start in my department [Rumford Junior Firefighters] so I will be ahead of the game and also it is what I want to be.”

The curriculum in the fire science program includes fire service history, fire service tools and equipment, firefighter safety, forcible entry skills, fire attack skills, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle rescues and extrication and more.

Instructor Jon Longley brings 26 years of experience in the fire service and 22 years of teaching experience in public education to his position of fire science instructor at Region 9. His students appreciate his hands-on approach to teaching.

MVHS sophomore Coyote Freeman said, “I like the hands-on stuff that we do and my teacher makes it easy to learn with him.” A key word in Freeman’s quote is “with.”

Dux explained, “The teacher actually does the skills with us.”

Many students mention a “family-like” atmosphere that is part of the fire-fighting tradition. Nikole Breau said, “We’re like a family, I’ve grown so close to these people in less than a year. Everyone knows when it’s important to be professional. It’s a great group of kids.”

A cancer survivor, Longley has shared more than classroom lessons with his students. Miele said, “I think Mr. Longley is a perfect fit for the position. He got a second chance to do what he loves and he is giving it all he can to give back.”

Like other Region 9 programs, fire science students prepare for a national certification. After the first year, they are ready to take the firefighter 1 exam, which consists of 125 written questions and a practical skills exam. Similarly, after the second year, students can sit for the firefighter 2 exam, another 125 written questions as well as a test of skills.

Asked what she hoped to get out of the program, Marty Letourneau responded, “My firefighter 1 and 2.” She is a junior at Telstar.

Jesse Brooks-Fleury, a junior at Dirigo, has the same goal in mind.

“I hope to get the knowledge needed for future calls, which I have no doubt I’ll get with the way things are going,” added Dirigo junior Sam Cote.

As with the other program, the students express a great deal of pride when asked if they would recommend the program to fellow students.

Cody Smith is a Telstar senior. “If you have a passion and drive to be a firefighter, then this class is for you,” he said.

If a student is interested in learning more about the program, contact Region 9 for a tour.

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