UC Davis Student Firefighters Get Rare Hands-On Opportunity Through Program
DAVIS (CBS13) — You may know that UC Davis has its own fire department, but what makes it even more unique is that the department actually employs a group of student firefighters in one of only three programs like it in the nation.
They live, breathe, eat and sleep firefighting—that is, when they're not busy with homework from their full schedules at UC Davis.
They're a team of 15 UC Davis student resident firefighters. They train alongside career firefighters and help out on real emergency calls. In exchange for certain shifts a month, they get free housing at Station 34, and they're paid for any hours beyond what's required.
"It's kind kind of like living in the dorms every year. but it's better than that 'cause I'm living with people that share similar interests with me," said student firefighter Eric Wetzel.
Just like the dorms, except these rooms come with red lights and unpredictable alarms.
"You just sleep through it either when you're not on shift. Or when you are on shift, you know, it's your time to go," said Thomas Powell.
He's an international relations major, but he already knows he wants a firefighting job after college. Students like him use the hands-on experience to help get a leg-up on a career they've been dreaming about for years.
"My dad was a firefighter for 30 years, so just, family ties," he said. "Went on a ridealong when I was 17, and that day was just amazing."
For others like Wetzel, who is a biotechnology major, firefighting is just one career path.
"The skills I've gained from this program will help me in any career I do. The discipline, just working with other people," he said.
Capt. Cess Mercado used to be a student firefighter himself. Now he coordinates the program.
"It's a great opportunity for those students because they get kind of a glimpse of it without really having to commit too much," he said. "Today we had a small fire and our students were right there with us, actually responded to that fire. So, they get that hands-on experience that couples in with the training, which most places you don't get until you actually get hired on as a full-time paid firefighter."
It's a unique experience for the students and a big boost to the department.
Mercado says he gets 200 applications for the 15 slots that are usually open every two years.
