PHS students answer call
Health Academy assists Red Cross with Pier Fire
The American Red Cross reached out to Porterville High School students for assistance Thursday, and PHS responded in a big way. More than 70 students showed up at Porterville College to help set up relief efforts for those affected by the Pier Fire.
The Red Cross contacted Pam Avila, teacher and CTE educator for the PHS Academy of Health Sciences at noon on Thursday. Avila in turn relayed the call for help to students across campus.
By 1 p.m., 60 students had signed up to help after school, and 17 more signed up immediately after school.
Transporting nearly 80 student volunteers from PHS to Porterville College on short notice was a dilemma for Avila. Riley Sexton, a 2017 PHS graduate and former student Red Cross president, assisted Avila in shuttling students from school to the PC campus. Once on scene, student volunteers make quick work of preparing the relief efforts. Avila noted that Red Cross staff were amazed with the efficiency of the students and how much they accomplished in a little over two hours.
“These kids amaze me. They had over 100 cots set up, cleaned and set out to dry in one hour,” said Avila. “They cleaned and unloaded the trailer, and helped set up the cafeteria for the news conference as well as little odds and ends. We had all the important work done by six p.m., and the kids were so happy to actually be doing something of what they perceived as valuable.”
For the Health Academy students who responded, it was an opportunity to apply what they learn as part of the career technical education of their pathway. The PHS Health Academy partners with agencies such as the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency and the Medical Reserve Corps to teach its students how to respond to emergency medical situations.
“It’s a great thing to respond when help is needed,” said Adrian Remigio, volunteer and PHS Health Academy student. “Our motto is ‘Always on Duty.’”
The Pier Fire has burned almost 7,000 acres and is zero percent contained as of Friday morning.