Graduation for 16 cadets in Tyler Junior College Fire Academy No. 13 was held Monday, April 30, on the TJC West Campus in Tyler.
Special guests included guest speaker Chaplain Doug Haning, pastor of Lone Star Church, and Dr. Aubrey D. Sharpe, TJC dean of Continuing Studies and executive administrator of the West Campus.
Class valedictorian was Wil Swan of Castroville, and salutatorian was Samantha Collins of Tyler.
“Each graduating cadet has completed a series of courses in basic preparation for a new firefighter to satisfy the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) curriculum for Basic Structural Fire Suppression. This course may be offered only by institutions licensed as a fire academy by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection,” said Captain Andy King, Tyler Junior College Fire Academy director. “In addition to this coursework and live-fire exposure, cadets also have completed training in agility and fitness preparation.”
Graduates and their hometowns included: Ryan Alvey, Lindale; Ryan Ball, Flint; Michael Broyles, Canton; Christopher Clater, Jacksonville; Samantha Collins, Tyler, salutatorian; Jared Cox, Canton; Tyler Dornak, Bullard; Patrick Kelly, Chandler; Ty Lawrence, Tyler; Garner Leatherwood, Tyler; David Nees, Lindale; Michael Ontiveros, Tyler; Michael Schuble, Tyler; Avery Snear, Prosper; Wil Swan, Castroville, valedictorian; and Keaton Treadway, Canton.
Enrollment open for next TJC Fire Academy
Enrollment is currently underway for the next fire academy class. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, July 13. Classes begin on Aug. 20 and run through Nov. 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To work in Texas as a paid firefighter, applicants must earn a Texas “basic structure fire suppression” certificate. As part of this process, applicants must also submit their fingerprints and undergo a criminal history background check. Students must meet the standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, and NFPA 1001-2013, Standards for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Upon successfully passing the state exam, graduates will receive certification as Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, Hazmat Awareness and Hazmat Operations. They also qualify for national accreditation by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
Once a student receives firefighter certification and upon application with 3 credit hours to TJC, credit may be awarded for up to 15 hours of college credit.
Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. For more information, go to www.TJC.edu/FireAcademy or contact the academy at 903-510-3205 or email jgri2@tjc.edu.