Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is celebrating a major milestone for the county’s Proactive Diversity Recruitment and Training Program (PDRTP) — the 20th anniversary.
The program began in 2005 to assist economically disadvantaged Polk County residents pursue a career in public safety at no financial cost to them. Students will also receive benefits and an hourly wage while attending and completing classes.
The program provides qualified individuals interested in a fire and emergency medical services career with the opportunity to attend emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician and fire school with additional instruction from PCFR training staff.
“PDRTP has brought diversity, stability and enhanced our ability to recruit diverse individuals from all walks of life. It has been a very good program for the county and one of our best investments,” said Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, Jr. “I think it is refreshing to see people from various backgrounds representing county government. I think as a community it only makes it better.”…