June 14, 2006

Eighteen firefighters graduated from A-B Tech’s first Fire Academy class June 9 after completing an intense, 12-week course of instruction leading to certification as a Firefighter II in North Carolina.

A collaborative effort of A-B Tech, many fire departments in Western North Carolina, and the NC Department of Insurance, the Fire Academy is a physical and mental challenge. Almost 500 hours of instruction and hands-on application over a three-month period gives students the tools and experience needed to achieve the state’s Firefighter II certification.

“This class has been an experience of a lifetime,” said student Tim Jeffery. “The part I’ve enjoyed most of all was not the controlled burns, not tearing cars apart to extricate simulated victims, it wasn’t even rappelling from the 110-foot aerial ladder truck. What I’ve enjoyed most has been the brotherhood and sisterhood ­ the camaraderie of it all. Without my brothers and sisters, none of this would have been worthwhile.”

Skye Myrick, A-B Tech’s executive director of Occupational and Public Service Training, said the program was set up to meet the needs of city and county Fire and Rescue departments. “We will offer this training to anyone who is interested in a career in fire service,” she said. “We hope that high school graduates or those individuals anticipating a career change will consider our Fire Academy.”

Ten of the Fire Academy students have jobs waiting for them at Asheville Fire and Rescue, while others work or volunteer at Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Cedar Mountain, Tryon, Jupiter, Reynolds, Brevard and Rosman fire departments.

“We are proud of what our college and our instructors have been able to accomplish. And we are optimistic about what these students will bring to fire service. The training is competitive and challenging but then again, so is the profession,” Myrick said.

Students graduating were Bentley Andrews, Blake Baker, Zac Bass, Jamie Bryson, Carl Caughorn, Matthew Corn, Josh Hanson, Thom Hill, Archie Jarman, Tim Jeffery, Rick Miller, James Moore, Anna Pigman, Barnaby Raikes, Tim Reagan, John Sauve, David Sullivan and Tim Zajac.