09/24/2026
🚨BREAKING: Fremont, Nebraska rejected a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter for a paid job because he was homeschooled.
Andrew Coates already runs into burning buildings for Cedar Bluffs Fire. He is a state-licensed EMT. He wanted to get paid to do the work he already does for free.
The job ad said “graduation from high school.” He has a diploma. The city said homeschool is unaccredited in Nebraska and turned him down in April.
After that, Fremont added the word “accredited” to the description.
His own chief, Chris Lichtenberg: “I feel the city of Fremont is really missing out here… because of his homeschooling, you guys are discriminating against him.”
Dozens of homeschool families showed up. The Civil Service Commission said city policy is not their job.
When your house is on fire, you will not ask the man carrying your kids out where he sat for algebra.
Andrew says it is not just about him anymore. He wants every homeschooler to get a fair shot.
