Over 15 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) students from the Aiken County Career and Technology Center (ACCTC) visited the Savannah River Site (SRS) for a career tour hosted by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Education Outreach and the SRS Apprenticeship Program in celebration of Nuclear Science Week.

 

EMS students began the career tour at the Waste Solidification Building, where the SRS Fire Department (SRSFD) conducted a simulated drill involving an “injured worker” that had fallen from the second level of the building. Students were able to get a firsthand look at the preparation and training that goes into Site drills and the different vehicles and equipment SRSFD utilizes in emergency situations. Once the drill was complete, students headed to Fire Station One to learn more about what a career at SRS looks like from active Site personnel.

 

“Our fire department is one of the groups I am most proud of within the organization; they are the best of the best, and our hope is to inspire these students to rise up to the standards our team has set,” said Rick Sprague, SRNS Senior Vice President, Environment, Safety, Health and Quality. “We aim to employ professionals with strong character and confidence; our advice to these students is to look for opportunities to get involved, learn and gain social skills.”

  

 

SRSFD Chief Travis Scott stated, “Many of us at the SRSFD began preparing for our careers at a high school age, which is why we take the opportunity to show these students what we do so personally, because we know the importance of training as early as possible. It is an honor to come to work every day and know that we are keeping the Site safe and that is contributing to keeping our country safe.”

 

When asked about their experience on the tour, Juniors from the ACCTC, Andrew Hill and Joshua Kobacs, noted, “A lot of people don’t get to come out here; it was a really great experience to be able to see SRS,” said Hill. “This tour provided a lot of transparency into what is done at the Site. I enjoyed getting to see the different pieces of equipment the Site’s fire department has and almost get a glimpse into what a day in the life looks like,” said Kobacs.

 

The SRS Apprenticeship Program aims to create workforce development opportunities for students interested in the SRSFD and to bring awareness to the EMS/Firefighter Youth Apprenticeship Program set to begin in Spring of 2024.

 

“This program provides an opportunity to connect our fire department to the youth in our community and allow students to apply their studies in a real-world setting at the Savannah River Site,” said Abigail Bowman, Apprenticeship Program College Partner and Pipeline Development Lead. “Our hope is to peak their interest to explore available job opportunities early on and cultivate our future workforce.”

 

“Our Site is like a small city; just about anything you want to do in life can be done here,” continued Sprague. “We contribute to both international and national security and are critical to ensuring the country’s nuclear deterrence is maintained. If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourselves, there’s no better place than the Savannah River Site.”