MC Firefighter Training Facility Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, January 26, 2022
2:00 PM

Midland College is pleased to invite the community to the official opening of its new Firefighter Training Facility, which not only houses Midland College’s Fire Science Technology program, but also its new dual credit fire protection program.  High school students interested in fire protection can now accelerate the time it takes to receive industry certifications and find a career keeping our community safe.

Officials from MC, the City of Midland, MISD and Greenwood ISD, will be on hand Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Harris Field (3215 Farm to Market 307 Midland, Texas) to commemorate this partnership.

“It is crucial that as the Permian Basin continues to grow, we educate and train individuals for careers in fire protection,” Dr. Damon Kennedy, MC vice president of Instructional Services, said.  “MC is committed to provide the education and training that prepares young people for careers that benefit our community, and we appreciate the partnership with Abell-Hanger Foundation, Midland ISD, Greenwood ISD and the City in making this happen.”

One of the many benefits to this and other MC/MISD College & Career Academies is an accelerated time to career attainment and industry certifications.  Students are trained and ready to seek employment at much less expense than traditional high school to college programs.

The dual credit Fire Protection program is open to 47 students annually. Midland College provides students with hands-on firefighter skills training at Harris Field, which is operated by the City of Midland. MC also oversees student completion of the state firefighter certification exam, provides access to student and academic support services, provides a modular classroom at Harris Field and training equipment. The school districts recruit students, award secondary level course credit and provide academic support services. The City of Midland Fire Department provides access to Harris Field training facilities and instructors to support the hands-on components of the training program.

For many years, Midland College and the City of Midland have enjoyed a successful partnership to provide preparatory and continuing education firefighter training for the Midland Fire Department. The new dual credit fire protection program will provide an additional source of skilled and trained firefighters to the Midland Fire Department, as well as others in the West Texas area.  This new dual credit fire program expands the successful MC/MISD College & Careers Academies programs, which was started in 2017.