Katherine Tseng, Board President; Alyssa Lynch, Superintendent; Alecia Myers-Kelley, Director of Programs and Student Services; Phil Gonzalez and Oscar Tovar Fire Science/First Responder Instructors
The Silicon Valley Career Technical Education program offers many CTE pathways, none more popular than the Fire Science/First Responder program that started in 2006. The program was established after the 9/11 attacks and a reduced interest in firefighting programs. The program emphasizes biological and chemical hazards, safety issues, the science behind fire behavior, direct work with fire professionals, wildland firefighting, resource management, urban planning and firefighting, the use of fire safety equipment and other industry standards. Signs of the program’s success are students obtaining college degrees and employment in the field, articulation with local colleges, win–win partnerships with local fire departments and mentoring of regional occupational programs to replicate what this Silicon Valley program created.