Faced with an outdated website, the Onset Fire Department put out a call for help and Old Colony students have come to the rescue.

Six juniors in the Rochester-based vocational high school’s Computer Information Systems are developing a new department website with input from Fire Chief Ray Goodwin and firefighter John Gordon.

Goodwin said the project is keeping in line with the department’s “move forward” mentality.

“The trend in communication now is everything is online with social media being a huge component of that,” Goodwin said. “We have to meet the expectations of the residents.”

Gordon, who created the department’s current site, approached the school earlier this year about the need for a redesign.

With the website serving as a first point of contact for residents, Gordon said it’s important to make a good first impression.

“I’m not as tech savvy as I knew these students would be,” Gordon said. “I think it will be a good partnership with the school.”

In addition to getting an overhaul, the website will be more lively with new information and frequent updates.

“If a road is closed or there’s a storm coming, we want to push that information out in a timely manner,” said Goodwin.

The project is being treated much like it would in the business world with project meetings, presentations and design discussions.

On Thursday, the development team, which includes product owner Zachary Fay and “scrum master” Matthew Leate, both of Lakeville, unveiled three design options to Goodwin and Gordon.

Both firefighters were impressed.

“The ‘wow factor’ is definitely there,” said Gordon. “You guys did a great job.”

As scrum master, Leate facilitates the project with the four-member development team. In the sport of rugby, a scrum allows a team to self-organize and make changes quickly. It's a strategy the tech world has adopted, Leate said.

“We practice agile developing with small goals we sprint towards,” said Leate. “That way no one feels overworked.”

For Leate and Fay, this is the first big project they’ve worked on for an outside client.

“It’s definitely different than doing school work,” said Fay. “Working with a client, you have to find out exactly what they want and make the necessary changes.”

Leate agreed.

“It makes me want to work harder and focus on getting it just right for the client,” he said.

Following Thursday’s meeting, the students will tweak the design with feedback from Goodwin and Gordon, who expect the new website to be finished this fall.

Goodwin said with the department saving money on a redesign and the students gaining experience, the project is a success for students and firefighters.

“We’re very happy the kids have been responsive,” he said. “It’s nice to see that enthusiasm. It’s a win-win for everyone.”