Nearly 40 full-time Southern Maine Community College students will compete this weekend for fall assignments as live-in, “paid on-call” members of local fire and rescue departments.

The SMCC Public Safety Student Live-In program will place 31 students in the fire and rescue stations in 24 southern Maine communities. Those chosen must complete up to three weeks of firefighting and emergency medical training before the college’s fall semester begins.

Students have submitted applications and letters of recommendation and will sit for an interview with representatives of the host communities on Friday, May 15, and Saturday, May 16, at the Gorham Municipal Center.

In the fall, the students will join local responders protecting nearly 200,000 Greater Portland residents. During the school year, live-in students respond to hundreds of emergency incidents as well as assist with fire prevention and other fire/rescue department services.

“This program is a win-win-win for the students, the communities and the college,” said Steve Willis, fire science faculty member and Live-In program coordinator. “The students save money on housing because they live for free in the stations; and they receive hands-on training, experience and coaching from fire department members that really complements their classroom lessons.”

The community benefits from well-trained and energetic student

firefighters who are available to respond whenever they’re not in classes, Willis said.

“Students provide a valuable asset to local small communities battling with volunteer retention,” said Lisa Bennett, Waterboro Fire Department deputy chief and Live-In program coordinator. Waterboro has two live-in students assigned to its Central Fire Station.

The Live-In program is entering its 21st year. It began with four students – two assigned to a South Portland fire station, and two in Scarborough. Participation has grown to more than 60 assignments. Ten more live-in slots are available near SMCC’s Fire Science satellite program at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.

For more information, contact Steve Willis at [email protected] or 207-741-5808.