News

New firefighters qualify to join fire service

Fire Acedemy graduates and instructors pose at ceremony last week.

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 10, 2024

Fueling the firefighting workforce of Western North Carolina, the Henderson County Fire Academy graduated 17 cadets during a July 1 ceremony in the Bo Thomas Auditorium of Blue Ridge Community College.

Over three months, the cadets learned basic skills and competencies of the firefighting profession and earned certification from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The annual Fire Academy is a partnership between BRCC and the Henderson County Fire and Rescue Association. In addition to campus resources, area fire and rescue agencies provide equipment, personnel and facilities that ensure students experience numerous realistic training scenarios. Upon completion, academy graduates are prepared and qualified to begin entry-level careers in fire departments statewide.

“We applaud our most recent Fire Academy graduates for choosing a career path that serves the public safety needs of our community,” BRCC President Laura B. Leatherwood said. “This spring, each graduate showed commitment and perseverance in learning the essential skills of the life-saving firefighting profession. We’re proud to continue this collaboration with the Henderson County Fire and Rescue Association and local fire agencies to build a stronger public safety workforce in Western North Carolina.”

The graduation event featured congratulatory remarks by Casey Silvers, fire and rescue school director; Dr. Scott Queen, vice president of economic and workforce development; and Michael Ostrander, fire and rescue qualified assistant. Graduates were celebrated by public safety and fire department representatives, families and college leaders.

Registration is now open for the Fall 2024 Henderson County Fire Academy, which begins Aug. 26 and runs through Nov. 29. Additionally, Blue Ridge offers a fire protection technology associate degree, a certificate or diploma in fire protection, as well as numerous fire and rescue certification programs. Visit blueridge.edu/fire to learn more, view course schedules and enroll online.

The spring 2024 Fire Academy graduates of Blue Ridge Community College included:

• Christopher A. Alquiza
• William J. Campos
• Jessie I. Chavez
• Danielle B. Cox
• Michael L. Davis
• Michael C. Ehlen
• Dakota J. Flowers
• Joshua D. Girmann
• Jon R. Hamby
• Benjamin E. Julian
• Fred W. Klumpp
• Dallas A. Ray
• Austin K. Reynolds
• Destiny Robles-Hamrick
• Kyle C. Uptain
• Justin A. Wells
• Tyler B. Williams