A unique and ongoing partnership between Gentry Public Schools and the city is helping high school students gain real-world experience and specialized training in emergency response — skills that not only benefit students, but also strengthen the local community.
For the third year in a row, Gentry Fire Chief Vester Cripps is teaching a two-semester emergency response course at the high school. The program, open to students across the region, provides hands-on training in both Emergency Medical Response during the fall semester and Firefighter I in the spring. This year, students from Decatur and Gravette also are participating.
“This program is designed to educate and prepare students who are interested in emergency response careers,” Cripps said. “But it also helps them explore whether this path is right for them. We’ve trained some very strong responders, and we’ve also helped students realize they want to pursue something different. That’s a win either way.”
Thanks to support from the city, Cripps teaches the class daily on campus, drawing on his more than 40 years of experience in firefighting and emergency response. A retired firefighter from the Siloam Springs Fire Department, Cripps brought a passion for instruction with him when he became Gentry’s fire chief. He’s also taught EMT courses professionally, making him uniquely qualified to guide students through their first steps in emergency training.
Students in the program can earn certification in Emergency Medical Response and many go on to further training as Emergency Medical Technicians, firefighters or even nurses and other healthcare professionals. Last year, four students became certified volunteer firefighters after completing the course.
Beyond career preparation, students gain valuable life skills — including CPR and how to respond in crisis situations. For those less interested in hands-on medical training, the program also introduces students to fields like emergency communications and dispatching.
“There are a lot of avenues that students can pursue after completing these courses,” Cripps said. “Whether it’s medical, firefighting or something behind the scenes like dispatch, this class opens doors.”
