City of Columbus

Columbus State Announces New Academic Partnership with Columbus Fire and Police

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release 
August 19, 2013 

For More Information:
David Wayne, Columbus State, (614) 287-2161
Amanda Ford, Dept of Public Safety, (614) 645-5319
John Ivanic, City Council, (614) 645-6798
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Columbus State Announces New Academic Partnership with Columbus Fire and Police

When Columbus State Community College begins its Fall Semester this week, cadets in the current Columbus Division of Fire Academy will be among the registered students at the college. The city and college today announced they have formed a partnership in a new program that would put all incoming firefighters and police officers on a direct path toward an associate degree.

The academic program is designed with three blocks of courses involving a combination of state certification courses and academic courses.

Block One consists of courses taught at the fire and police academies. Cadets take those courses as dual students at Columbus State and earn academic credits for each course. Block Two consists of career-related courses at Columbus State required for incoming firefighters, but optional for incoming police officers. Block Three is optional for both police and fire. It focuses on general education academic courses.

Since firefighters are required to finish the first two blocks, they would be within easy reach of an associate degree upon completing the second block.

“Columbus firefighters and police officers are dedicated public servants who risk their lives to keep our neighborhoods safe and strong,” said Councilmember Michelle Mills, chair of Columbus City Council’s Public Safety & Judiciary Committee. “Our partnership with Columbus State supports our safety forces with education and training to help them serve and protect our community.”

“This program clearly allows all future firefighters to be within arm’s reach of an academic degree, increasing opportunities to advance their careers,” said Chief Gregory Paxton of the Columbus Division of Fire.

“We are especially proud of Columbus State’s long history of helping to prepare more than 2,300 first responders in this community,” said David Harrison, President of Columbus State. “Joining with the city’s emergency divisions is a natural partnership that helps Columbus firefighters and police officers enhance their skills, earn their degrees, and build a stronger career path.”

The City of Columbus is paying tuition for firefighters and police. In addition, firefighters and police officers already working for the city would have the option to take the courses, which would allow them to earn an associate degree.

Columbus City Council is expected to consider the contracts with the college in September.

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