Marion County Fire Rescue has announced a new mentorship program for local community members who are interested in a career within the fire service.
The Ocala-Marion Mentorship Program is a joint effort between MCFR and Ocala Fire Rescue, and it aims to mentor cadets from the local community by developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The program gives cadets a glimpse of the physical and mental challenges that are faced by firefighters, EMT’s, and paramedics. Cadets will receive in-depth physical training, skills orientation for tools and equipment, and they will become acclimated with the fire gear.
The program also emphasizes the development of skills that include basic problem solving, teamwork, effective communication techniques, and leadership principles and practices.
Training sessions will be held three times a week:
- Mondays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocala Station 1 (505 NW Martion Luther King Jr. Avenue) and Ocala Station 7 (885 SE 31st Street).
- Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at EGH Fitness (2740 E Silver Springs Boulevard).
- Saturdays from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at MCFR Training/Operations (3230 SE Maricamp Road).
Cadets are expected to attend various special events and community service events that are held throughout the year.
Sponsorship tests will be held twice a year to consider cadets for attendance at the Florida State Fire College. According to MCFR, participation in the mentorship program could lead to a full scholarship at the college.
For more information, please call the MCFR Training Division at 352-291-8074.