Redlands Daily Facts (California)
YUCAIPA, Calif. — “The desire to serve, the ability to perform, the courage to act” was the message at the Nov. 25 graduation ceremony for Crafton Hills College’s 69th Basic Firefighter Training Academy.
“It’s been a long 12 weeks,” said Dan Sullivan, chief of the fire academy. “Fire service requires hard work and dedication. Our instructors are really here putting a stamp of approval on each cadet.”
People from fire departments all over the region attended to support the graduates. Sullivan said the instructors also came from all over and pushed for teamwork, dedication and hard work.
“One of the goals of instruction is to stress the importance of teamwork,” Sullivan said. “They want to make a difference to the future of this academy. It makes our job satisfying.”
The cadets did not know each other and came from different backgrounds, but when they were put together they came together as a team, Sullivan said.
“It took them a while, but they did get it together,” Sullivan said. “There’s not too many careers in the world where you can trust a co-worker. But in fire service, it’s mandated.”
He said one example of that was when they got together on their own time and won the recent Candlelighters 10K run in Redlands.
“This academy was demanding from the first day to the very end,” Sullivan said. “We couldn’t let up at all, but they got together even better.”
Their challenge the first day was to “make it look better than the day you got here,” and Sullivan said they did it.
“All the men on this stage have proven themselves worthy to claim the title of ‘graduate of Academy 69,’ and I stand before them proudly to call myself one of their own,” class leader Aaron Patty said, addressing the graduates.
Patty said when Sullivan appointed him as class leader, he was hesitant to take on the duty “among such a high caliber group of people.”
However, Sullivan assured Patty that he had his support.
Patty, who served in the Marine Corps, recognized the importance of his interaction with leaders in the Marine Corps in helping prepare him for his role in the Fire Academy.
He also recognized his fellow cadets for inspiring him.
“There were so many strong cadets to emulate on a daily basis,” Patty said.
“You all brought something unique to this academy, something that we all needed,” he said. “I wouldn’t be the same had I not had all of you to train with.”
Through his fellow cadets, Patty said he learned to maintain a competitive edge in the classroom and push himself to the limit during physical training. He said he also saw in his fellow cadets maturity and compassion, a sense of humor and the heart and the dedication to succeed.
“Our very motto, ‘forged by fire,’ shows that we are united by common goals,” he said. “Our goals are selflessness to serve, pride of honor in the fire service, and a willingness to carry a tradition like so many before us.
“We can all agree that to put our own lives in danger to protect the lives and property of the people we have never met is unique, but the fact that we have spent the last three months training to learn this profession shows the dedication we have to each other and our communities.”
Guest speaker at the ceremony was Pat Dennen, chief of the San Bernardino County Fire Department. He emphasized the importance of integrity, morality and the public reputation that firefighters have.
“Can they promote the value of duty, honor and courage?” Dennen said. “If they answer yes, then welcome to the fire service.”
Dennen thanked cadet Andrew Simpson for the moment of silence.
“I appreciated the moment of silence,” Dennen said. “I’ve been to 15 memorial services for California firefighters this year alone.”
He presented a list of 25 ways cadets can disqualify themselves for fire service.
“One dumb mistake or poor choice can cost you the best career in the world,” Dennen said.
Cadet Kevin Ellis put together a video presentation of their 12-week training, and said it was something he had never done before.
Each squad was presented in the video, and the audience cheered and clapped when they recognized people in the video and laughed as they watched the men wrestling a firehose to the ground.
Crafton Hills College serves as the regional training center for firefighters in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The graduates were required to complete a course based on requirements established by the state fire marshal’s office. The cadets learn the basics of firefighting, including how to handle the equipment and getting their first hands-on experience extinguishing fires.
The Crafton Hills College Fire Academy is part of the college’s comprehensive fire technology program. Fire Academy students interested in continuing their education have the opportunity to earn two-year associate degrees in Crafton’s fire technology program and can transfer to four-year colleges to earn baccalaureate degrees in fire science-related fields such as fire protection administration.
Fire Academy graduates are required to have Emergency Medical I Certificates because many calls are for medical emergencies. Also, those interested in earning their Paramedic Certificates can attend Crafton’s emergency medical technician-paramedic program.
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