COLLEGE STATION – Fifty-five
new firefighters from Texas, Ohio, California, Hawaii and Canada graduated June 23 from the 153rd
Firefighter Recruit Academy
conducted by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The
graduates completed 12 weeks of classroom and hands-on training at the Brayton
Fire Training Field.

The
graduation ceremony was held at the Texas A&M University Hildebrand Equine
Complex, followed by a reception at the H.D. Smith Building and a tour of
Brayton Fire Training Field. The keynote address was presented by Chief Randy
McGregor of the Bryan Fire Department. Patrick Cunha of College Station
received a scholarship award in memory of Eric Wallace and Greg Pickard,
firefighters who lost their lives in the Knights of Columbus fire in Bryan. It
goes to the student who best exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M and the
Fire Service: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless
Service.

The
academy prepares entry-level firefighters to earn the Texas Commission on Fire
Protection certifications for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous
Materials Awareness and HazMat Operations as well as ProBoard Firefighter I,
Firefighter II and HazMat Awareness and HazMat Operations. 
The program is also eligible for college
credit through the Fire Science Technology degree program at Blinn College.

The
academy is led by Training Manager Donny Boggs, Training Coordinator Cary
Roccaforte and Associate Training Specialist Andy Ramirez. TEEX has trained
more than 5,000 certifiable firefighters since 1971, and has graduates working
across Texas, the United States and the world.

Learn more about the TEEX traditional and blended learning Firefighter Academies.

Visit the TEEX Firefighter Recruit Academy facebook page

Back to top