State Committee visits Alex. Fire Academy
COMMITTEE VISITS FIRE ACADEMY — State Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) members visited the Alexander Central Fire Academy, on Friday, October 10. They are shown above with Fire Academy cadets following a live demonstration, where students showcased their training by navigating a smoke-filled room.
Members of the State Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) met on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Alexander Central Fire Academy, located in the former Sugar Loaf Fire Department building.
The EWIC group, appointed by state and Department of Public Instruction leaders from across the state, has generously supported Alexander County through grants in recent years—funding both the Fire Academy training site and Family and Consumer Science (FACS) program upgrades, according to Crystal Hoke, Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) and Secondary Curriculum for Alexander County Schools.
EWIC has supported ACS through Grade Expansion grants for the past five years and Innovation grants for the past two years.
Friday’s meeting included refreshments provided by FACS Advanced Studies students from ACHS.
Hoke and Chief Justin Deal, who heads the Fire Academy, gave an overview of the EWIC Innovation Grant in Alexander County.
Commissioners were impressed by the innovative projects across Early Childhood Education, Foods, and the Fire Academy, and how the Grade Expansion grant has enabled career exploration
activities such as Career Fairs and the Mobile Career Lab in elementary and middle schools.
A highlight of the visit was the Fire Academy cadets’ live demonstration, where students showcased their rapid response skills and training by navigating a smoke-filled room and suiting up in full gear. Guests also enjoyed snacks prepared by Foods students and handprint placemats and a thank you video created by Early Childhood interns and the Baby Cougars.
Hoke explained that it is the goal of Alexander County Schools to graduate each student either enlisted in the military, enrolled in college, or employed, with more than 95 percent achieving this goal among CTE students. The CTE program has 98 interns at 88 job sites. More than 50 CTE classes are offered, including Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience Applications, Animal Science, Veterinary Assisting, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Fashion & Textile Fundamentals, Child Development, Counseling and Mental Health, Interior Design, Early Childhood Education, Foods, Firefighter Technology, Carpentry, Construction Core, Drafting, Drafting Engineering, Architectural Drafting, Masonry, Public Safety, CCP Electrical System, CCP Welding, Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Sports and Event Marketing, Foundations of Health Science, Health Science, Nursing Fundamentals, and Pharmacy Technician.
Local businesses wishing to host an ACHS intern may contact Career Development Coordinator Amber Barnes via email, [email protected], for more information.
Business and community partners may join in the Fall Advisory Council Meeting for CTE on Nov. 18, 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. (lunch included), at Alexander Central Auditorium. RSVP at https://forms.gle/qUnuNJfqai4b228HA
State Education and Workforce Innovation Commission members (seated) and Alexander County Schools CTE Director Crystal Hoke (standing) view a Thank You video created by ACHS Early Childhood interns and the Baby Cougars at the commission’s October 10 meeting.
State Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (EWIC) members watch Alexander Central Fire Academy cadets perform a drill on October 10, 2025.
Fire Academy cadets prepare to set up a ladder during a demonstration.
Fire Academy cadets prepare to enter a smoke-filled room during a demonstration.
Chief Justin Deal, who heads the Alexander Central Fire Academy, spoke to the EWIC commissioners.
