Spotlight on Fire & EMS College Internship Program
Hood River Fire & EMS (HRFD) recently welcomed two new interns into its College Internship Program, Kyle Smiley and Gabi. Meanwhile, the department congratulates outgoing interns Carmelita Guzman and Micheal Botchway as they finish up Paramedic School and continue their educations.
For students pursuing a career in firefighting or emergency medicine, HRFD has an excellent internship opportunity designed to provide students with a supportive environment to prioritize their schoolwork. At the same time, they receive hands-on training and provide operational support to the department. The one- to two-year program is designed for students either currently enrolled or planning to be enrolled in a Paramedic or Fire Science program.
Gabi and Kyle came to the internship program from different backgrounds and educational experiences but with the common goal of becoming firefighters/paramedics. Gabi is originally from the East Coast, and after exploring different internship opportunities, she felt that Hood River was the right fit for her. She takes advantage of living at the station. “Getting experience being a resident Intern, living here at the station, learning the lingo, and all the fine details of how things work means I know I’ll be golden anywhere,” she said.
On the other hand, Kyle grew up in the Gorge and had three years of volunteer firefighting experience at Wy’East Fire District. “After getting my EMT certification, I wasn’t able to fund paramedic school myself, and the Hood River internship gave me that opportunity,” said Kyle. As a Columbia Gorge local, Kyle did not need to take advantage of the room available at the station and instead comes in for his 48-hour shifts. Kyle and Gabi utilize the program to work for their educational needs, and both appreciate how it has allowed them to focus on their schooling while getting direct experience.
Captain Scott Tennant has been leading the internship program for five years of its 20-plus-year existence. He enjoys teaching the ins and outs of being a firefighter and paramedic. If you or someone you know thinks the HRFD internship program may be the right fit, Captain Tennant recommends scheduling a meeting and ride-along with him as a starting point. Internships are a one- to two-year commitment depending on previous educational experience, and providing training and resources to the interns represents a significant investment into their careers as future firefighters and paramedics. Despite the work, it is a rewarding experience working with and teaching the variety of students who come through the program.
If you would like to be involved and support HRFD you can also sign up to be a volunteer. The number of volunteers in fire departments has declined across the country but remains a vital part of firefighting services. HRFD is always accepting volunteer applications and welcomes anyone who would like to give back to their community through responding to emergency calls, assisting at incidents, and more.
Learn more about internship and volunteer opportunities here: cityofhoodriver.gov/fire/.
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