NORTH HILLS, Calif. – Two minutes. That is how much time students have to get fully suited up in fire gear.

“So let’s say there’s a fire, we have to make sure we put it on really quick because we have lives in our hands," Katerine Castaneda said as she and her friends cheered on a classmate.

RELATED l Social Justice Highlighted in New LAUSD Magnet Program

Not that Castaneda will be putting out any real fires, but the Panorama City teen does attend Los Angeles Unified School District’s McComb Firefighter EMS Magnet.  It is a new program – only in its second year -- and she finds it challenging in the best possible way.

“It’s motivating you to do better in life," Castaneda said, "and then it shows you can be a better version of yourself.”

That is exactly what Melissa Kelley hopes instill in these students, especially the girls. Kelley works for the Los Angeles Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

“That means I’m double talented," Kelley said laughing.

She works in a field – and a department – that is predominantly male.

“We only have about 100 females in about 3,700 firefighters," Kelley said of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

This magnet, though, is different. Forty three percent of the students are female and Kelley is their greatest cheerleader. Her grandfather was a firefighter but it wasn’t until she was a teenager that she met a female firefighter for the first time.

“And I was just blown away that girls could do this and I had never thought of it for myself," Kelley said, "so it’s really the idea of if you can see it, then you can be it.”

In addition to hitting the books, students are put through the paces with rigorous exercise and firefighting drills. It is hard work, but Kelley tells them there is a reason for it.

“I say, ‘We’re not trying to torture you. What we are really trying to do is make you feel empowered. I want you to feel strong and let you know that you can do it,'" said Kelley.  

This is one of five firefighting magnets in LAUSD, but no one expects all of these students to enter the field. That is not even the goal.

“We’re teaching them how to be good citizens," Kelley said. "We’re teaching them how to help people.”

Which is what Castaneda plans to do as a nurse or a social worker.

“This program has pushed me so far," Castaneda said, "and it’s always motivating me to do better.”

Castaneda looks forward to being the first in her family to go to college, and this program, she says, has only strengthened her and her resolve.

For more information on how to enroll in one of LAUSD's more than 300 magnet programs, click here.