SAVANNAH – Fire Science students at Savannah Technical College may expand their first responder training with EMS certifications thanks to a new Firefighter/EMS diploma now offered at the College.

“The new Firefighter/EMSP diploma program is an exciting opportunity for our students to obtain the education and training to earn the fundamental certifications necessary to function as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in today’s fire service,” said STC Fire Science Department Head and Lead Instructor Anthony (Tony) Faust.

Upon completion of the Firefighter/Emergency Medical Services Professional diploma, students may be eligible for certification and/or licensure in the following areas: Firefighter I, EMT, and AEMT. “Because these are national certifications, our graduates can obtain gainful employment as a Firefighter/EMT anywhere. This is especially helpful for our military personnel and their spouses who are transitioning out of the service and wish to work in the emergency services field,” said Faust.

The Firefighter I Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) program is conducted in cooperation with the Georgia Fire Academy and Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training to ensure graduates have the skills, knowledge and credentials to serve as firefighters in paid and volunteer fire departments. Graduates will be tested and certified at the National Professional Qualifications level.

EMS certification training is offered at progressive levels: EMT, AEMT, and paramedic. At the AEMT level, training requirements vary by State. The nationally defined levels, typically require 30 to 350 hours of training based on scope of practice. Students learn advanced skills such the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.

Additionally, Savannah Technical College will offer the FF/EMSP program in a cohort format starting in Fall of 2015. The 15-week firefighter certification program involves a combination of online and hands-on sessions at various fire departments.

All Fire Science degree and diploma classes are offered at the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407) with class schedules offered in a convenient combination of evening and online classes. Area fire departments work closely with the College to support the program.

The Fire Science programs at Savannah Technical College prepare graduates for success in a fire and emergency service environment, along with the leadership skills to be successful in progressing through the ranks of the fire and emergency services. Most experienced firefighters continue studying to improve their job performance and prepare for promotion examinations. To progress to higher level positions, they acquire leadership skills and expertise in advanced firefighting equipment and techniques, building construction, emergency medical technology, writing, public speaking, management and budgeting procedures, and public relations.

Opportunities for promotion in fire science depend upon the results of written examinations, as well as job performance, interviews, and seniority. Hands-on tests that simulate real-world job situations also are used by some fire departments. Usually, firefighters are first promoted to engineer, then lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and finally, chief. For promotion to positions higher than captain, many fire departments now require a bachelor’s degree, preferably in fire science, public administration, or a related field. The National Fire Academy requires a bachelor’s degree to be admitted into the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP).

Faust retired from the City of Savannah as a Battalion Chief after 25 years of service and is a 2010 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s EFOP. Faust rose through the ranks at Savannah Fire and was its first Public Information Officer. He received numerous accolades during his career including a commendation for rescuing flood victims in the mid-1990s. Interested students should contact Faust at afaust@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3386.

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#1520 | November 19, 2014

Fire Science Contact: Tony Faust
912.443.3386 or afaust@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Culinary Arts Instructor Zeb Berry and five STC students earned four gold and three silver medals at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Tampa Bay Competition sponsored by Minors/Nestle Professional and Performance Foodservice on November 1.

Berry competed in two categories: showpiece and cold-plated dessert. His chocolate showpiece featured an “exploding flower.” He demonstrated pastry skills in the cold-plated dessert competition, as well as his kitchen organization and contemporary plating techniques. Berry earned a gold medal for his cold-plated dessert and a silver medal for his chocolate showpiece.

Student competitors created wedding cakes or a showpiece made of chocolate or sugar. The judges evaluated the consistency and the delicate nature of the showpieces. Students who created sugar showpieces showcased techniques like pulling, blowing, casting etc. STC Pastry Arts students Carol Lanser earned a gold medal and Haley Rankin earned a silver medal for sugar showpieces.

The other three students submitted a completed three-tier wedding cake that had been decorated using traditional methods of piping for the judges.  Angela Burke-Grove and Myriam Tellez both earned gold medals and Shawntay Leggett earned a silver medal.

Savannah Tech’s baking and pastry program that was developed by the College to teach the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces. Students learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards. More than 70 students are currently enrolled in the baking and pastry program.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah has earned distinction as one of the top four culinary programs in the country according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have each earned national ACF certification under his leadership.

The application deadline for new students in spring semester 2015 is December 19. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit:www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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#1519 | November 10, 2014

Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry Arts Advisor: Amber Robinson
912.433.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Anthony A. (Tony) Faust as Department Head for Fire Science. In this role, Faust is responsible for teaching and coordinating academic programs and processes, as well as supervise faculty at all campuses for Fire Science.

Faust retired from the City of Savannah’s Bureau of Fire & Emergency Services in 2011 as a Battalion Chief after 26 years of service. Faust rose through the ranks at Savannah Fire and was its first Public Information Officer. He received numerous accolades during his career including a commendation for rescuing flood victims in the mid-1990s.

He has a master of science in strategic leadership from Mountain State University, a bachelor of science in business administration from Brewton-Parker College and an associate of arts in fire science from Savannah Technical College. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has certifications as a fire inspector 1, CPR/First Aid instructor, fire instructor 1, incident safety officer, public fire educator 1, EMS responder and hazardous materials technician.

The STC Fire Science program office is located to the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). All Fire Science class schedules are convenient to home/life/work schedules with a combination of evening and online classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various fire departments.

The Fire Science programs at Savannah Technical College prepare graduates for successful careers in the fire and emergency service field, whether they are looking to obtain employment as a firefighter or wish to obtain their degree to qualify for promotion into leadership positions at their department. The program offers topics such as basic firefighter programs, incident command, strategy and tactics, fire service instructor, building construction, emergency medical technology, writing, public speaking, management and budgeting procedures, and public relations.

Interested students should contact Faust at afaust@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3386.

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#1517 | November 4, 2014

Fire Science Department: Tony Faust
912.443.3386 or afaust@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu