FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 13, 2014)
WHAT:
After many have survived tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, a special group of 22 veterans this week are completing requirements so they can put their lives on the line again as the first firefighter graduates from Tarrant County College’s College Credit for Heroes Program (CC4H).
Veterans have completed the Fire Academy, the majority of their requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Technology and will complete their final AAS course requirements, including the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program this fall.
State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, chair of the Senate Military and Veteran Affairs Committee sponsored Senate Bill 1736 that initiated CC4H. The bill called for the creation of ways to expedite paths for veterans to earn degrees and certificates based on their previous military training. Grants totaling $4.4 million funded programs at 17 Texas colleges and universities. Grants for the third phase of the program may be submitted through Sept. 5.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Aug. 13
11 a.m. to noon
Interviews may also be conducted throughout the day by appointment by calling 817-515-1542
WHERE:
TCC Northwest Campus
Fire Service Training Center
4801 Marine Creek Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76179
OTHER:
Veterans will be putting out their final fires as part of their two-year program. They will be available for interviews including:
- Army Veteran Dustin Cain, whose mother died from cancer while he was in the Fire Academy,
- Army Veteran Melissa Garrett, the only female student veteran in CCH who is completing the Fire Academy and
- Army Veteran Devin Parks, whose father is a firefighter.