Counties across the country are struggling to recruit the next generation of firefighters, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers.
One Florida county is taking a different approach, building that pipeline before students even graduate high school.
In Okeechobee County, public safety career programs are giving students hands-on training and early exposure to careers in fire rescue, 911 dispatch, and law enforcement. The programs are embedded directly into the school day through career and technical education (CTE) courses, with additional after-school opportunities through a public safety cadet program.
The model is simple, and replicable.
“It’s giving [students] a lot more tools before they have to make that jump into the career world,” Denise Whitehead, the county’s community services and public information officer said. “And it’s really been quite promising.”
The county has shifted its focus to meeting students where they are, high school classrooms. These students have the opportunity to enroll in:
- A Fire Academy, where they learn foundational skills, participate in live drills, and even join ride-alongs with firefighters
- A 911 Dispatch course, taught by working dispatchers using real-world simulation training
- A Public Safety Cadet Program, run by the Sheriff’s Office after school
These courses aren’t passive learning experiences, they are hands on, career-focused programs designed to show students what actually happens in the field. This clarity makes all the difference. Students who participated in this program have gone on to pursue careers as firefighters and EMTs, entering the workforce with a clear path and practical experience already in place.
For counties grappling with workforce shortages, the lesson is clear: recruitment doesn’t have to start after graduation. Learn more by reading the full NACo article.
