Jan. 21—BATESVILLE — More than 80% of Indiana’s first-responders are volunteers and many rural departments are increasingly faced with challenges recruiting and retaining part-time and full-time firefighters. Batesville Fire and Rescue is connecting with prospective recruits through a work-based learning program and partnership with area high schools to address concerns of that nature.
Irene Boyd is a senior at Milan High School who has aspirations of joining the fire service after college. She connected with Chief Brian Hardebeck and Batesville Fire at the beginning of this school year and visits on site during the afternoons. She has been trained on various drills and exercises needed as a working firefighter.
Boyd’s parents are Bill and Bessie Boyd. Her father is a volunteer firefighter at Morris Hill. She comes from a long line of firefighters: her father, grandfather and family members further back in her family tree have all worked fire and rescue.
She hadn’t decided on fire and rescue until she visited the Career Center for training. Immediately after that, Boyd told her father, “Dad I want to be a firefighter!”
Boyd will be maximizing her time after school preparing for her career. After graduation, she’ll get her EMT certification and then she’ll be better prepared to start Fire and Rescue 1 and 2.
Then, if everything goes according to plan, she’ll take her first full-time shift at Batesville Fire and Rescue as a probationary firefighter.
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Students like Boyd from Milan High School can come to the Batesville Fire Department during part of the school day to learn about all aspects of the fire service.
Prospective firefighters train with various drills and exercises and learn techniques and tools used by firefighters.
There are more than 800 volunteer fire and rescue departments in the state, and volunteer fire departments are always looking for men and women to join their teams with the goal of ensuring safety and well-being for the communities they serve.
Joining a fire and rescue department has many advantages.
Becoming a volunteer firefighter helps many find a sense of belonging and ownership, both in their department and within their community as a whole.
Driven by passion rather than obligation, volunteer firefighters bring enthusiasm and a genuine desire to contribute. Like Boyd, many thrive on the adrenaline rush and challenge of emergency response, finding fulfillment in the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of firefighting
Batesville Fire currently has connections with Milan High School, Oldenburg Academy and Batesville High School. They will be receiving a second student apprentice in 2025.
Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com
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