LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Jefferson County high school is teaching the next generation of emergency first responders. 

What You Need To Know

  • Fairdale High School partnered with other local first responders to create a scenario for Fire, EMT and Health Academy students

  • Students at Fairdale High School choose pathways their freshmen year

  • Students at Fairdale train to become first responders

  • The scenario on Thursday involved a bus crash, hazardous smoke and smashed cars

Brandon Underwood is a junior at Fairdale High School and part of the EMT Sciences Academy. 

"I mean, it's kind of in my genes. My father is Chief at Fairdale," said Underwood. 

The Academy allows students to train as emergency first responders as part of their high school curriculum. 

Brandon is participating in a mass casualty training exercise. The high school partnered with other local first responders to create a scenario for Fire, EMT, and Health Academy students. The exercise involved responding to a crashed bus, hazardous smoke and smashed cars. 

Brandon and others have trained all school year for this. 

"I got in the truck and as soon as I got in the truck it was nothing. It just felt normal," said Underwood.

Underwood and others agreed that the school has prepared them well for the training. 

"They got us where we need to be for the next step in life," said Fairdale senior Bertin Ndizhiwn. Ndizhiwn strives to become a police officer. 

The Fire, EMT and Health Academy will continue creating the next generation of Louisville's emergency first responders for years to come. 

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