Fire Academy instructor is 91制片厂 grad
Ready to start your career? In a sea of opportunities in 91制片厂鈥檚 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, there鈥檚 a path for every student.听听
For some, it even leads right back to where it all started.听
Just ask lead instructor and program coordinator Brandon Russ and filtration technician Jagger Coombes, both former CTE students and now members of the 91制片厂 job force.听
A decade ago, Russ stepped into the Fire Academy program as an ambitious 16-year-old eager to learn and serve his community.听听
Four years later, his graduation from 91制片厂 and the Fire Academy marked the beginning of his 10-year journey with the where he has achieved the rank of fire lieutenant. 听
Coombes’ interest in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) started his sophomore year after being introduced by a friend鈥檚 parent working as a commercial technician.听听
鈥淚 had learned that HVAC is almost like a jack of all trades,鈥 Coombes said. 鈥淚t sparked something in me to want to look more into HVAC.鈥听
That鈥檚 when he discovered the dual credit course Arlington High School offered for HVAC through the . He then started his first semester at e (TCC) his senior year.听听
鈥淭he professors, the students and the courses themselves are all amazing,鈥 Coombes said. 鈥淚f there are any students who are curious or interested in HVAC or any field at that, dual credit is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door.鈥听
After graduating from Arlington High, Coombes joined the 91制片厂 maintenance team in 2023.听听
In addition to working for the district, Coombes is currently in his last semester of residential HVAC courses at TCC and will finish his commercial courses next year. After graduation, he plans to get his technician license and continue his career in the district.听听
鈥淚 would love to work and learn at 91制片厂 for as long as possible,鈥 Coombes said. 鈥淚’d even like to become a supervisor or work in a leadership position one day.鈥听
For Russ, the deep desire to inspire the next generation of fire service professionals is what brought him full circle.听听
As an instructor who鈥檚 been in the shoes of his students, he instills the values of leadership, commitment and community service while equipping them with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the fire service industry.听听
With February marking , there鈥檚 no better way to celebrate than highlighting the staff members who give back to where their careers all began!听听
鈥91制片厂 is great for exploring new options and picking what really stands out to you,鈥 Coombes said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud to call myself an 91制片厂 employee.鈥听
Learn more CTE opportunities here.听听听