Tyler Junior College Fire Academy recently held a graduation ceremony for 19 cadets in its Fall 2019 class.
Captain Andy King, academy director, gave opening remarks and presented the certificates and awards Jeff Akin, TJC fire protection technology program coordinator, gave the invocation and benediction.
Guest speaker was Neal Franklin, retired as both Tyler fire chief and general manager of ETMC EMS.
Class valedictorian was Lyn York of Chandler, and salutatorian was Jonathan Surlet of Larue.
“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,” King said.
“This course may be offered only by institutions licensed as a fire academy by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. In addition to this coursework and live fire exposure, cadets also have completed training in agility and fitness preparation.”
Graduates and their hometowns are: Hayden Bradshaw, Chapel Hill; Logan Culp, Alba; Mason Daniel, Murchison; Carson Davis, Celina; Bryce Driver, Rusk; Jeremy Gallegos, Abilene; Tevarri Graves, Tyler; Justin Keele, Reno; Micah Meador, Tyler; Eric Meisner, Tyler; Kobey Roberts, Gun Barrel City; Colt Smith, Forney; Dawson Smith, Prosper; Jonathan Surlet, Larue; Alec Tipton, Jacksonville; Cody Watts, Emory; Noe Yepez, Tyler; Dean York, Chandler; and Lyn York, Chandler.
Enrollment open for next class
Enrollment is currently open for the next fire academy class. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, May 1. Classes begin on June 15 and run through Nov. 20, 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 passes the firefighter licensing exam and upon application and enrollment to TJC, up to 24 hours of college credit may be awarded toward an Associate of Applied Science in fire science at TJC.
Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. For more information, go to TJC.edu/FireAcademy or contact the academy at 903-510-3205 or email jgri2@tjc.edu.