The Board of Supervisors is slated next week to approve renewing a contract between the Riverside Community College District and Riverside County Fire Department to provide courses at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, enabling junior college students to pursue careers as firefighters.
Moreno Valley College, which is part of RCCD, first partnered with the fire department in 2010, when the board authorized the establishment of educational programs at Ben Clark that provide pathways for students to obtain college-level credits that can be applied toward earning public safety-related associate and bachelor’s degrees.
The program is designated the School of Public Safety.
On Tuesday, the board will consider a new five-year “instructional service agreement” that would continue all programs at Ben Clark, under the supervision of Moreno Valley College staff.
The compact would expire on June 30, 2027.
“Per this agreement, Moreno Valley College is responsible for compliance with educational requirements imposed by law and all academic matters, including the approval of course content, course curriculum, methods of instruction and testing and grading procedures,” according to a statement posted to the board’s agenda. “It also may set a maximum class size and course credit.”
Fire personnel would be required to vet and appoint instructors who conform to state training mandates, according to county documents.
A law enforcement curriculum at Moreno Valley College is also available through an RCCD agreement with the county.
No county General Fund revenue is utilized for the courses.