Published: October 21, 2025
Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2025) — Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is celebrating a major milestone for the county’s Proactive Diversity Recruitment and Training Program (PDRTP) — the 20th anniversary.
The program began in 2005 to assist economically disadvantaged Polk County residents pursue a career in public safety at no financial cost to them. Students will also receive benefits and an hourly wage while attending and completing classes.
The program provides qualified individuals interested in a fire and emergency medical services career with the opportunity to attend emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician and fire school with additional instruction from PCFR training staff.
“PDRTP has brought diversity, stability and enhanced our ability to recruit diverse individuals from all walks of life. It has been a very good program for the county and one of our best investments,” said Deputy County Manager Joe Halman Jr. “I think it is refreshing to see people from various backgrounds representing county government. I think as a community it only makes it better.”
PCFR Engineer/EMT Alfred Forbes was the program’s first graduate. When asked about the program, Forbes said, “It was the best thing that could have happened to me in my adult life.”
The program has helped many former and current PCFR members make their dreams of a public safety career a reality. Many of these individuals have continued their journey through PCFR’s ranks with two members reaching the rank of Battalion Chief. Darius Livingston, now retired from PCFR, and Michael Smith.
Longtime Polk County employee Sharon Mathis ran the program from its inception to her retirement in 2025. Mathis supervised each class from the selection process to graduation with assistance from PCFR training staff.
When asked what she was most proud of regarding the program, Mathis said, “Seeing people get jobs and being able to take care of their families. If I can pour back to anybody to ensure that their life is a lot better, I enjoy that.”
Former PDRPT graduate Kelly Rucker succeeds Mathis as the program’s coordinator. Rucker started in the role on Sept. 29.
The PDRTP currently has seven students enrolled. The class is expected to graduate on Nov. 21.
If interested in joining or learning more about the PDRTP, reach out to Kelly Rucker by phone at 863-534-6027 or email at kellyrucker@polk-county.net.