About the Program

Prepare for a career in Public Safety:

Excellence in Education and Hands-On Training

The Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Fire and EMS Program is a comprehensive and rigorous course of study designed to give students the skills, certifications, and college credits necessary to pursue a career in fire and emergency services. This fire program is aligned with the Tennessee Department of Education Fire Management Program of Study and meets FESHE standards, providing students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. The EMS program us aligned with the Tennessee Department of Education Emergency Services Program of Study and provides students with industry certification and the opportunity to earn collage credits.

Throughout the program, students gain valuable classroom instruction as well as practical, real-world experience. They participate in a wide range of activities including fire safety education, emergency medical training, and hands-on exercises in fire suppression and rescue techniques.

What You’ll Learn:

Firefighter Safety & Operations: Students are introduced to the essential skills and safety practices every firefighter must know.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS): The program includes essential EMS training to prepare students for emergency medical situations.
Fire Prevention & Fire Behavior: Students learn how fires start, how they behave, and the strategies used to prevent and control them.
Live Training & Simulations: Practical drills and live fire training exercises provide the hands-on experience needed to excel in the field.

Earn College Credits:

Through the Fire Science Program, students can earn college credits that align with FESHE standards, providing them with a head start on their higher education journey. The credits earned meet the requirements for the Walters State Community College AAS Fire Science degree.

Through the Emergency Medical Services Program, students can earn college credit that can be used toward their EMT courses at Walters State Community College.

Hands-On Training and Real-World Experience:

Our students don’t just learn fire science—they live it. Recent highlights include:

Attendance at FDIC International (Fire Department Instructors Conference) – Students had the chance to participate in one of the largest firefighter training events in the world, attending professional classroom trainings and interacting with fire service leaders from across the globe.
Fire Department Tours & Partnerships – We collaborate with local departments to give students insider access to operational fire stations and real-world emergency service training.
Featured on Two Fire and EMS Podcasts – Students proudly represented the program by participating in two fire/EMS-related podcast episodes, discussing youth involvement in fire service education and their personal journeys through the program.
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – In a powerful tribute to the fallen heroes of 9/11, our students participated in the annual Stair Climb event, symbolically climbing 110 floors in full turnout gear to honor first responders.

Instructor Bio:

Cecilia Ogle, a paramedic with over 15 years of experience, has dedicated her career to public safety, education, and advocacy. Starting her career as a volunteer firefighter and rescue squad member, she advanced to become a nationally registered paramedic and passionate educator. She now leads the Fire Science Program at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, where she was selected to pilot this innovative fire and EMS education initiative.

Recognized as the 2025 NAEMT EMS Advocate of the Year, Ogle is a fierce proponent of better EMS education, training, and resources at all levels. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of firefighters and EMS personnel and shares her extensive knowledge of the field with students to help them succeed.

Why choose our program?

College credits that meet FESHE standards.
Real-world experience at national conferences and local departments
Participation in professional training events and industry podcasts
Fire Department Tours and Industry Exposure
A strong community of motivated, service-driven students
Opportunities to earn certifications and gain leadership experience

Join us at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School and become part of a program that’s designed to ignite your passion for firefighting and prepare you for a successful career in fire service.

Program timeline

Year 1

Principles of Fire and Emergency Services

Principles of Fire and Emergency Services is the introductory course in the Fire Management Services program of study. Students will be introduced to the challenging work of emergency responders in fire management services by learning regulations, health and safety protocol, communications, and operations. Upon completion of this course, if the teacher is a member of the local volunteer fire department, proficient students who are at least 16 years of age will have met the state requirements (T.C.A. 4-24-112) for minimum training of firefighters. Standards in this course are aligned with the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services (FESHE) model.

Students can earn Walters State Credit for passing the Local Dual Credit final exam.

Year 2

Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention provides an overview of the fire prevention techniques which are utilized by fire fighter professionals in response to various fire emergencies. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to identify the magnitude of a natural or unnatural disaster and its effects on the many facets of communities as well as conduct hazard identification and learn how to control and prevent fires. This course equips students with the skills and knowledge surrounding a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and gives them the ability to apply those skills in mock scenarios. This course teaches skills involving ropes, knots, ground ladders, and hazard response. Standards in this course are aligned with the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services (FESHE) model.*

Students can earn Walters State Credit for passing the Local Dual Credit final exam.

Year 3

Fire Science I

Fire Science I is the third course in the Fire Management Services program of study. In this course, students will be prepared with technical knowledge and skills related to firefighter safety, fire behavior, building construction guidelines, and the use of firefighting equipment. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to correctly demonstrate skills associated with ropes, ladders, and fire hoses in a non-live fire situation. Standards in this course are aligned with National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services (FESHE) model.

Students can earn Walters State Credit for passing the Local Dual Credit final exam.

Dual Enrollment Fire Science Courses at WSCC

Year 4

Fire Science II

Fire Science II is the fourth and final course in the Fire Management Services program of study. Students in this course continue to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career as a Firefighter I. Those students who complete this course will be prepared, after graduation, to further their instruction at a training facility. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to correctly demonstrate skills associated with ventilation, water supply, fire hose and fire streams in a non-live fire situation, and safety with hazardous materials. Standards in this course are aligned with National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services (FESHE) model.

Students can earn Walters State Credit for passing the Local Dual Credit final exam.

Dual Enrollment Fire Science Courses at WSCC

Page updated

Report abuse