The Sycamore Fire Department recently accepted their next batch of applications for their college internship program.

According to the City of Sycamore Web site, only two students are chosen to complete the paid-on-call program each year and will be appointed in the summer. During the three-year program, students must serve a minimum of 24 hours interning weekly, remain a full-time student, successfully pass all coursework and adhere to the Sycamore Fire Department rules and regulations.

“We had 11 applicants this time,” said Becky Hepker, fire chief secretary.

The applicants were required to submit an application with supporting documents such as high school and college grades as well as ACT scores, according to the Web site. They also had to be a permanent, legal resident of the USA, 18 years of age by the time of appointment, have completed one year of college, reside within seven miles of the fire station, pass a background investigation, have a valid Illinois Drivers License and pass a physical exam which includes drug screening.

“They had different qualifications this year,” Hepker said. “They had to have attended at least one year of college and that is to get interns with a higher maturity.”

Having one year of college completed would not only ensure that the intern is serious about becoming a firefighter, but also help them obtain study skills needed for the rigorous testing, Hepker said.

During the three-year period, the department provides students with fire academy training and sponsors the student in the EMT-P program.

“So far we’ve hired four firefighters through the internship program,” Hepker said.

One of the interns hired, Adam Honiotes, went through the program from 2003 to 2006.

“It’s been a great experience and helped out a lot when testing for other departments,” Honiotes said.

The internship program began at the department in 2003.

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