The H.I.R.E.D! program, which is a program available through a partnership between APSRC, the Walton Family Foundation, and small, rural schools in Northwest Arkansas, hosted their 2nd annual Medical and Emergency Services Preview Day at the Washington County Sheriff's Office at the end of April. Over 100 students from Gentry, Gravette, Greenland, and Lincoln were invited to learn more about hands-on careers in the medical and emergency services fields. An overwhelming number of students are interested in careers in medicine or as emergency services personnel, but with limited access to experiential learning opportunities for career awareness and readiness in those professions, due to limitations such as HIPAA and age restrictions, the H.I.R.E.D! team created this event to allow their students to gain a better understanding of their future careers. 

The morning began with a demonstration of a bomb squad, drug dog, that is trained to detect illegal substances if a search becomes necessary while out in the field. We then pivoted to different speakers for different careers. This year, careers that were featured included - EMTs/EMRs, Firefighter, Occupational Therapist, Radiologist, and a staff member from the recently opened Alice Walton School Of Medicine. Individuals with these careers spoke to students about entry into that career, education/training needed, what the job was really like, and potential salaries. Students also participated in a "mini career fair" where local and regional college and industry partners came to network with student and increase their awareness regarding those careers.

After lunch, students then pivoted to expos that provided greater insight into what soes jobs are like and where the students might work. We began with a presentation to show students what being tased was like (a requirement for certain emergency personnel) and saw a demonstration for what it looks like for pepper-spray balls to be shot at individuals who resisted police officer's attempts to calm them. This was great a great opportunity to see the intense nature of some of these fields. Then students rotated through the Washington County Coroner's Office, Dispatch, and their mobile dispatch office. Additionally, students were able to walk through an ambulance from Central EMS and see what that environment would be like. This wrapped up the day and students were able to return to their schools with more knowledge on their future plans. 

We would like to thank all our participating partners and speakers, as well as the Washington County Emergency Operations team for their generosity in hosting our students for this event. A special thanks should also be given to Laurie Smith, the Medical Pathways and MECA advisor at Lincoln High School, for her facilitation of this partnership with the Washington County Sheriff's Office Team.