Boise State University kinesiology students are gaining hands-on experience while helping prepare future firefighters through a paid internship partnership with the Boise Fire Department Recruit Academy.
The collaboration connects students studying exercise science and human performance with fire recruits undergoing physical training. Through the internship, students observe, coach and eventually help design training programs that support the demanding physical requirements of firefighting.
The partnership grew out of an ongoing relationship between Boise State and the Boise Fire Department. When the recruit academy asked whether kinesiology students could assist with physical training, the School of Kinesiology saw an opportunity to expand student learning while supporting public safety professionals.
A key feature of the program is that the internships are paid, a deliberate decision designed to reduce financial barriers for students.
“Many of our students have to work to afford school,” said Shawn Simonson, professor in the School of Kinesiology, who helped lead the initiative. “Completing an internship often means giving up work hours and income. If we can offset that sacrifice with a paid internship, we help students participate in a valuable learning experience when finances might otherwise prevent them from doing so.”
During the internship, students gradually take on more responsibility as they gain experience. They begin by observing training sessions before moving into coaching roles and eventually develop conditioning programs designed to help recruits meet the physical demands of firefighting.
The experience allows students to apply concepts they have learned in the classroom to real world situations.
Rather than introducing entirely new skills, the internship focuses on strengthening and refining the training knowledge students already possess.
“Our students already have experience working with clients and athletes,” Simonson said. “This opportunity allows them to build on what they’ve learned in the classroom, labs and service learning experiences.”
Working with firefighter recruits introduces students to the growing field of tactical strength and conditioning. Tactical athletes such as firefighters, law enforcement officers and military personnel face unique physical demands that differ from traditional competitive athletes.
Appropriate conditioning can strengthen resilience, improve recovery and help firefighters meet the unpredictable physical demands of the job. Firefighters may face situations that range from short bursts of intense activity to long operations in extreme environments, often while wearing heavy protective equipment.
While many of the training principles remain the same, the stakes can be significantly higher.
“Not only might the firefighter’s life depend on their training, but so can the lives of the people they serve,” Simonson said.
From the Boise Fire Department’s perspective, the partnership provides additional support during recruit training and allows for more individualized attention.
With kinesiology students assisting during workouts, recruits receive more guidance and feedback, which can improve training outcomes and reduce injury risk.
For Boise State, the program reflects the university’s broader mission of community engagement and workforce development. Students gain applied learning experience while directly contributing to the health and safety of professionals serving the Boise community.
For Simonson, the partnership represents an ideal teaching opportunity.
“Our students get to learn while making a difference,” he said. “My teaching is all about getting students to do things, and this is a prime example of that.”
The goal is for students to leave the internship not only with stronger professional skills, but also with the confidence to apply their training knowledge in high pressure environments.
Ultimately, the program demonstrates how academic expertise can directly support public safety while preparing the next generation of professionals in human performance and tactical training.