TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Editor's note: The above video incorrectly states that 31 participants are graduating, but it is "Class 31."
New team members are joining the Travis County Emergency Services Department (ESD) in Pflugerville.
Travis County ESD No. 2's Class 31 will graduate on Thursday. This will be the first graduating class from the ESD's in-house firefighter/EMT certification program, which launched in January to deal with staffing shortages.
The certification program is a free, six-month curriculum that certifies civilians who meet the minimum qualifications to become certified Texas firefighters/EMTs. Through the program, participants are hired as full-time employees, receive benefits and have the opportunity to join ESD No. 2 when they complete the training.
The program's second class will begin in September or October.
In June, KVUE's Conner Board reported on the program's progress since its launch. You can watch that story below:
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: