Prince George's County Public Schools and the Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department reached an agreement Friday that will allow district high schoolers to begin training as first responders.

Starting in the fall, the High School Fire Science Program will offer college-level classes that students can apply toward national certification as firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

"We are equipping our students with the necessary tools to succeed while helping the county to meet future public safety workforce needs," Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr. said in a statement.

To mark the memorandum of understanding between the two departments, Hite and County Executive Rushern Baker were invited to fight a mock fire at the county's training facility in Cheltenham. See the photos above for more.