Madison Reporter

Charlotte Franseen’s first ride in an ambulance wasn’t as a patient but as an EMS intern. At 19 years old, Franseen was already a graduate of Madison College’s NextGen Responder Academy, a program for high school juniors and seniors to be licensed as emergency medical responders and firefighters. That experience led to an internship with the Sun Prairie EMS Department that confirmed her future plans.

"Going on calls and experiencing this really helped me connect the dots and decide this is what I wanted to do,” Franseen says.

The Stoughton High School graduate is now a full-time Madison College student in the paramedic technician program while serving a two-year internship in Sun Prairie. When she graduates with her associate degree, Franseen will be far ahead of her peers.

Madison College NextGen Academy has graduated hundreds of high schoolers since its first class in 2017. Teens find the academic, physical, and mental challenges transformative.

Some enter the Academy to build skills, while others prepare for a career that provides critical and lifesaving EMS and fire services in communities. When students complete the EMR and Fire Recruit Academies, they take additional testing to be certified in Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Operations, Nationally Registered Emergency Responders, and CPR and Early Defibrillation.

The Academy appeals to all kinds of students. Some have firefighter or EMT service in their blood, following in their parents' or grandparents' footsteps. Others crave the hands-on learning the Academy offers, while some are unsure of their plans and just want to try it out.

Kristy Schnabel, the lead Madison College NextGen Academy EMR instructor and a Fitch-Rona EMT, says whatever their motivations, students benefit from the program.

“I see students on the first day come into the classroom scared and timid and don’t know what they got themselves into, but by graduation, they are outgoing and confident leaders,” Schnabel says.

Along with lectures and coursework, students get hands-on training at Madison College Truax's state-of-the-art facilities.

Will Boone, NextGen Academy’s lead fire instructor and a City of Madison firefighter, says the skills students take away are life-changing. Academy participants learn time management, leadership, and teamwork skills.

“Our goal is to give them the skills to go out there and become EMTs and firefighters," Boone says. "But another big goal is that every student comes away from this program having a better understanding of how to become a productive member of society.”

As a coach and mentor, Boone sees young people grow and mature in the program.

“What’s really cool is one day you see them struggling to put up a fire ladder or hold a hose line," Boone says. "But then you see them progress. They take the state test and watch them flourish.”

While instructors are patient, 16-18-year-olds in the program are motivated to succeed in the Academy. This “tough love” approach motivated Academy student Brock Buskager to do his best. When challenges came up like crawling through confined spaces with an air pack on, he stayed calm and got through it.

“The instructors are focused on pushing you to succeed," Buskager says. "That made me realize that I could do more.”

Buskager’s dad suggested a public safety career when he noticed how much his son liked helping people. Since his Academy experience began last summer with an internship at Fitchburg Fire Department after graduating from Oregon High School he has flourished.

“My dad has noticed changes in me—that I am more responsible—and punctual,” Buskager says.

Another lure of the NextGen Academy program is that students earn college credits at no cost. This early college opportunity is financially beneficial for many who thought higher education was beyond their reach. Participants can also apply for incentives up to $1,500 once they graduate.

The NextGen Responders Student Fund helps high school students transition into fire and EMS careers after graduation with money for tuition, textbooks housing food more initiative aids low-income students who are 20% more likely drop out protective services program.

Boone aims let many students know about opportunity possible growing up New York City seeing Black firefighter rare unicorns finally did meet inspired follow same career path

“I want students know can do opportunities people color females females color possibility,” Boone says.

Madison College NextGen Responders Academy important pipeline youth interested public safety careers essential Wisconsin towns cities statistics showing tech school graduates stay communities helps neighborhoods thrive

Many graduates advanced degrees volunteers needed rural departments

This summer recent Oregon High School grad start internship Fitchburg Fire Department fall back two-year Fire Protection Technician Associate Degree

Franseen continuing internship Sun Prairie EMS officially begin core classes expects licensed paramedic next summer

Find out more about Madison College NextGen Responders Academy Start College Now applications due high schools Oct 1 spring class semester March fall semester Contact earlycollege@madisoncollege.edu information

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