Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Gives Future First Responders a STEP Up

Javier was leaning towards entering the police academy when he began talking with a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) firefighter at the gym.

The firefighter told him about the inaugural HCFR Specialized Training for Emergency Professionals (STEP) program, where students can graduate with both Emergency Medical Training (EMT) and fire academy training.

When Javier learned more, he applied for the STEP program through HCFR and Aparicio-Levy Technical College. Being a firefighter was his original dream, and he jumped at the opportunity because the STEP program also included free tuition and a wage.

"The opportunity was great," said Javier, 20, of Apollo Beach. "I'm really blessed. When I found out about (the STEP program), I was really excited."

On Aug. 1, 2025, Javier graduated from the fire academy, along with 25 other students. Of the 26 graduates, 15 were in the STEP program.

HCFR created the STEP program to offer an opportunity for qualified candidates to pursue a career in firefighting.

Specialized Training for Emergency Professionals (STEP)

Hillsborough County Affordable Housing provided the funding for the STEP program through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A percentage of the grant can be used for public service, allowing HCFR to pay tuition and a wage for each of the students enrolled in the STEP program.

More than 140 residents applied for this opportunity in the first year. The students were selected through a rigorous application process that included writing an essay, submitting references, and participating in interviews.

In January 2025, the students began studying in the EMT field, learning about CPR, pre-hospital emergency medicine, and assessing patients. After completing the EMT training, the students continued their fire academy training at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Fire Academy, 9450 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL, 33619.

The training, which was administered by Aparicio-Levy Technical College and HCFR, included firefighting safety, firefighting techniques, extrication, ladder drills, and search- and-rescue exercises.

By completing the fire academy, the students met the 492-hour requirement to graduate from the Aparicio-Levy Technical College Fire Academy and will be dual certified in firefighting and EMT upon graduation.

For Tarean, graduating from the academy serves as an opportunity to embark on a solid career. He has an 8-year-old son, and he knows there's no other career that can impress a child as much as a first responder.

"It is one of the best role models you can be, and it is a great job," said 33-year-old Tarean, who attended the fire academy through the STEP program.