COLLEGE STATION — Forty-six fire academy students will graduate today and join the ranks of professional firefighters around the world. During the 12-week training program conducted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), these recruits received both classroom and hands-on training in every aspect of basic firefighting. All training is to the national NFPA 1001 standard and the graduates are eligible for national certification.

The intensive training program includes daily physical fitness activities and students gained skill and experience through nine consecutive days of live-fire training at Brayton Fire Training Field. They extinguished fires engulfing everything from dumpsters and vehicles to warehouses and industrial terminals. Each student received extensive training on the safe operation of emergency vehicles in a variety of driving situations.

They also got hands-on training on fire apparatus, such as working with a fire hose, operating pump panels, drafting water and calculating water flow to a fire. All the training emphasizes safety and personal preparedness, and each student is issued a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) unit to use while in training.

The comprehensive program also included training in rescue techniques, along with the ropes, knots and hitches used during rappelling, rigging hauling systems, and lowering/raising of victims. The recruit firefighters also received training in HAZMAT operations and response measures.

Each class selects an Outstanding Cadet who is recognized and awarded a certificate. This year the Outstanding Cadet will receive a full tuition reimbursement, made possible through a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The $25,000 grant will fund three such awards as well as fund 16 scholarships for training during TEEX’s Annual Fire School in July. This is the 140th class to graduate from the TEEX Fire Recruit Academy.

Graduation Ceremony Details:
2:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2013
Brayton Fire Training Field
HD Smith Building
1595 Nuclear Science Road
College Station, TX 77843-8000

About TEEX
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is the world-renowned leader in emergency services training. TEEX’s Recruit Fire Academy has trained more than 4,000 certified firefighters since 1971. Academy graduates are working in fire departments all over Texas, the United States, the U.S. Department of Defense, Canada, Australia, Spain, Korea, Kuwait, Finland, Ireland, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

About Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety entities. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs has given $5.7 million to hometown heroes in 36 states and Puerto Rico, including more than $425,600 in Texas.

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