Recently, a San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter landed on the campus of Sweetwater High, part of a partnership educating students about fire based air operations and career opportunities.

Students looked in the distance in awe and anticipation as the nearly 2,500 hundred pound aircraft hovered and landed on the high schools field.

“Actually seeing the aircraft and being able to ask the rescue team questions was a dream come true,” said Paulina Lagarda, senior at Sweetwater High. “I’ve always had a passion for helping those in need, so getting into this field is perfect for me.”

Not long after the helicopter touched down at Sweetwater High, did the rescue team receive an assignment sending them to Cowles Mountain to rescue a hiker.

“The partnership with San Diego Fire-Rescue is absolutely invaluable to our students,” explained Mike Diaz, a Career Technical Education Fire Technology teacher at Sweetwater High School. “Engaging students with a talk about the air ship, its capabilities and their duties is something that will stick with these students for a long time.”

Diaz says the Career Technical Education Fire Technology program is a two-and-a half year program designed to show students all the opportunities that come with a career as a first responder.

National City Fire Department sponsors the academy at Sweetwater High and this year they awarded three students with scholarships.

“The helicopter visit helps students visually make their dreams a reality,” explained Mike Diaz, a Career Technical Education Fire Technology teacher at Sweetwater High School.

“Being a part of the Health and Fire Science Academy allows me to gain experience in the medical field,” said Andrew Sanchez, a senior in the Health and Fire Science Academy. “This is a great opportunity I’m glad I get to be a part of.”

According to Diaz, fire academies can be very difficult to get into. Diaz explained how Sweetwater’s program prepares students by exposing and training them in fire service essentials such as basic medical care and search and rescue.

At the end of the program, students take a capstone class to wrap up their fire service education before potentially moving onto a career.