Located at the top of the University of Rhode Island Kingston campus, the Kingston Fire District offers various opportunities for students interested in firefighting.
“These services are provided through a highly-trained, dedicated and adaptable force of volunteers known as the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company,” according to the Kingston Fire District website .
One of the features of this station is the student firefighters. University of Rhode Island graduate Evan Ramroth (‘20) is a lieutenant in the fire department. His job entails heavy rescue, such as cutting people out of cars and training new applicants. Ramroth has been associated with the department for about three years.
“Not only should you get involved in recruiting but it’s also great for anyone that wants to join the fire service,” Ramroth said. “We have all the resources and a first response area.”
This location provides free housing to all firefighters, including students. Full-time student members also get $5,000 removed from their yearly tuition, according to the Kingston Fire District website.
Six firefighters at the Kingston Fire District live there full time, and out of those six, five are career firefighters, according to Ramroth. Seven of the firefighters have earned their bachelor’s degrees from URI.
T he fire department owns a ladder, heavy rescue and two engine trucks, according to the Kingston Fire District website. These trucks encompass most of the different roles firefighters can fill, including being a medical first responder, rescue technician and safety operator. Firefighters also drive and operate both the ladder and fire hose.
Enrique Yepes, a first-year student and firefighter applicant, joined the fire department at the start of the fall 2024 semester.
“My job is to watch and learn,” Yepes said. “I go with the fire department on calls, but as an applicant, I am on scene with the firefighters.”
“The fire department offers different levels of commitment for students, from part to full-time.” Yepes stated. “In the process of becoming a firefighter, there are three tiers: applicant, probationary firefighter and member. “
Members participate in regular training sessions and respond to emergency calls while at the station, according to an article by Firehouse . Probationary firefighters focus on training and integrating within the fire department, while applicant firefighters prepare for actual incidents. URI students can start this process as early as their first year.
At the end of applicant training, students participate in a fire at a live burn building, according to the Kingston Fire District website. This burn building, located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, teaches students how to control and extinguish various types of fires.
The Kingston Fire District hopes to continue to prevent, prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies while recognizing work from volunteers, according to the Kingston Fire District website.