Graduation for six cadets in Tyler Junior College Fire Academy No. 16 was recently held at TJC West in Tyler.
Class valedictorian was Dylan Harmon of Tyler, and salutatorian was Brandon Smith of Oakwood.
“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, TJC 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: Jose Castillo, Mount Pleasant; Tyler Collinsworth, White Oak; Austin Donley, Tyler; Dylan Harmon, Tyler; Gracie Kellum, Kountze; and Brandon Smith, Oakwood.
Enrollment open for next TJC Fire Academy class
Enrollment is currently underway for the next fire academy class. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, June 7. Classes begin on June 24 and run through Nov. 22, 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 30 hours of college credit. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
For more information, go to TJC.edu/FireAcademy.