AVONDALE, Arizona – On December 12, 2012, the first class of Estrella Mountain Community College’s Fire Academy graduated after four months of intense classroom and tactical training. Upon successful completion of this charter class, the seven students were eligible to take the written and practical tests leading to the “Firefighter I and II” certification in the state of Arizona.
Graduates Paul Defreitas, Jacob Davis, Jon Ostrus, Jonathan Plunkett, Josue Rivera, Richard Savage, and George Wilkins each received their certificates issued by the Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence (AZCFSE). Richard Savage received the "Most Outstanding Recruit" award for excellence in academics, skill performance, and leadership.
EMCC Fire Academy Director Ed Pahl said that this charter class self-named themselves as “The Lucky 7” to set the bar high with a group commitment to a 100% passing rate for their certification testing, which they achieved. “They worked hard every day, and it paid off,” continued Pahl.
The academy was launched in August 2012 after four years of planning with community partners, the Avondale and Goodyear fire departments, to fulfill a much-needed resource for firefighter training and certification to the Southwest Valley.
Their classes were held at the EMCC campus during the week for classroom learning, and on Saturdays, the students participated in real training activities at the Avondale/Goodyear Fire Training Facility, located on Lower Buckeye Road in Avondale.
The EMCC Fire Academy is a component of the college’s current Fire Science program in EMCC’s Public Safety Institute. The certification program required a complex combination of community advocacy and partnerships with the Avondale and Goodyear fire departments, course planning that met the academic rigor and standards of the AZCFSE, and acquiring the equipment and facilities to support the lab training.
One of the best complements that can be given in the fire service is to say that you would work on a fire truck with someone. Sounds simple, but in the fire service it is a huge deal. “I can honestly say that I would gladly work with any of these guys on my fire truck,” said Pahl.
Each of the graduates were required to acquire a sponsoring fire department before entering the program.
Jacob Davis – Buckeye Valley Fire District
Paul Defreitas – Goodyear Fire Department
Jon Ostrus – Goodyear Fire Department
Jonathan Plunkett – Goodyear Fire Department
Josue Rivera – Buckeye Valley Fire District
Richard Savage – Wickenburg Fire Department
George Wilkins – Wickenburg Fire Department
“We have the best community partners and staff, including office, instructors, and lab techs that believe in our mission of creating the future leaders of the fire service,” said Pahl.