High school works closely with fire department

The Williams Volunteer Fire Department has been working closely with the Williams High School to ensure the safety of its students, said Lucy Ortiz, fire prevention officer.

Ortiz said principal Mike Fleishman deserves recognition for his hard work.

“Not only did he do the monthly fire drills but he would throw in extra situations,” she said.

Fuller said Fleishman would block entrances and do drills during lunch to see how students and teachers would react.

“I try and use them (fire drills) as a learning experience,” said Fleishman. “The more you repeat something the more you know it. It could save lives someday.”

Fleishman said the school is working very closely with the fire department to ensure our fire department procedures. He said the real heroes are the student fire department cadets.

“These kids are responding to fires and emergency calls,” he said. “Some of these kids might be putting their lives on the line.”

This year there are two students working to become firefighters — Chase Pearson and Keith Blackburn.

“Sometimes you get calls at two in the morning, and sometimes you get calls during the day,” Pearson said.

Pearson said he plans on getting his fire science degree from Coconino Community College and to go on to become a paramedic.

“I plan on turning this into a job,” he said.

Blackburn is heading into the Army in July but hopes to become a firefighter when he gets out.

“I got involved to help the community out,” he said. “Right now, I’m going through a training course. I’ve learned a lot from Anthony Matthews and Kevin Schulte.”

Blackburn said Fleishman has been instrumental in providing support.

“He encourages hard work,” he said. “He likes you to be honest, and he helps you out as much as he can with everything.”

Other students who have gone through the program are Joleen Pavlock, Chris Blacken and Travis Schulte. These students were also honored on the floor of the state House of Representatives for their dedication to the community in 1997.

The reason Pearson said he wanted to become a firefighter is because “I love helping other people. Plus, firefighters get all the chicks.”