CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — Clovis East High School’s Career Technical Education Emergency Response program is celebrating a national recognition for its fire tech courses.<\/p>\n
The course is led by instructor George Mavrikis.<\/p>\n
“So this program is designed for students who are interested or curious about pursuing a career in the fire service,” Mavrikis said.<\/p>\n
Senior Jesus De La Cruz said the hands-on approach is what makes the class engaging.<\/p>\n
“Instead of just reading it from a book, you get to actually experience it yourself,” De La Cruz said.<\/p>\n
Students train using industry-standard equipment, much of which has been donated by partners such as the Clovis Fire Department.<\/p>\n
Recently, the program’s curriculum, instruction and equipment helped it earn the National Industry Certified Program of Excellence designation from the Law and Public Safety Education Network.<\/p>\n
The recognition signifies that the program meets national benchmarks for quality, relevance and workforce readiness.<\/p>\n
“It’s really exciting for us to be recognized, that this is not just what Clovis says,” Mavrikis said. “We have a third party saying that we have a gold standard in this school district.”<\/p>\n
As part of the evaluation, reviewers highlighted opportunities for students to earn certifications and college credit through Fresno City College, as well as the experience of instructors like Mavrikis, who has 30 years of fire service experience.<\/p>\n
The program was described in the evaluation as “one of the best-equipped secondary fire training programs observed nationally.”<\/p>\n
However, reviewers also noted areas for growth, including increasing female participation.<\/p>\n
Senior Savannah Varela said that is something she hopes will change.<\/p>\n
“We don’t really get a lot of women in the program, four or five every year, every so often,” she said. “But I try to advocate that this is not a man’s class.”<\/p>\n
“Women can do anything and everything that these men are doing in this class,” Varela added.<\/p>\n
Mavrikis said the program aims to continue expanding, with hopes of adding afternoon classes and introducing additional fire service career pathways such as fire inspector, investigator and mechanic.<\/p>\n
“So that’s our goal,” he said. “Is to try to strive above, above the regular standard, above everything else.”<\/p>\n
District administrators are expected to gather Thursday at Clovis East to formally recognize the program’s accreditation and highlight the achievement.<\/p>\n
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