The Brief The STEP program gives students an opportunity to earn dual certificates for EMT and firefighting. Each graduate is eligible to take the state firefighting exam and after passing, they can apply to any fire department in the state. Fifteen aspiring firefighters are one step closer to battling blazes and helping the community thanks to a new program in Hillsborough County. It’s a first-time program for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and it allows students to earn dual certificates for EMT and firefighting. It's been very groundbreaking because in my life, I've wanted to much more in terms of serving people," Amari Jackson said.