Olentangy Liberty High School graduate and 2017 Delaware Area Career Center (DACC) alumna, Natalie Charles, has turned her passion for public safety into a rewarding career. After completing DACC’s Fire Service Training program, Natalie earned her Firefighter II and EMT-B certifications, which laid the groundwork for her next steps. She quickly went on to complete her degree at Columbus State and is now thriving as a 911 Dispatcher at MECC/Mifflin Township.
“I absolutely love my career - my only regret is not doing it sooner,” Natalie shared. She added that her training at DACC gave her a strong advantage: “I had so much prior knowledge before becoming a dispatcher. It makes communicating and understanding what’s going on at the fire ground easier, as well as patient triage.”
Natalie is excited to keep expanding her skills, with plans to become a part-time firefighter on her days off to continue her education and stay connected to the field.
Looking back, Natalie credits DACC with giving her the confidence and preparation she needed to pursue her path. “There are so many career opportunities after completing fire training,” she said.
Her advice for current students: “Keep at it! Further your education, apply for every scholarship, and never stop learning.”
Since graduation, Natalie’s life has continued to flourish—she married her best friend from DACC, and together they’re raising two beautiful children. “DACC really jump-started our lives,” she reflected. “We couldn’t have imagined it any other way.”
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