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Columbia College Graduates Fire Technology Participants

Columbia College’s Fire Academy will hold its graduation ceremony and presentation of Certification of Completion to 12 successful students of the Fire Technology Program. The event, which is open to the general public, will be held Monday, April 23th, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Dogwood Forum.

 

The certificates will be awarded based on the student’s successful completion of the academic and manipulative training as mandated for a California Firefighter Level One. The students must still complete six months of full-time or one year of part-time field experience before applying to the state for Firefighter I Certification. “Some of the graduates have obtained intern and volunteer positions at local fire departments since entering the academy” said Kurt Rhoades, college fire technology instructor. “Many of the students will pursue associate degrees in fire technology at Columbia College.”

 

In addition to the “routine” fire training classes, specialized training was delivered involving vehicle extrication class, basic wildland firefighting classes, and live fire suppression training which was conducted at the Modesto Junior College’s Fire Training Center.

 

Dennis Gervin Ph.D., President of Columbia College, will deliver a welcome message. Michael Siligo retired from Oakland Fire Department will deliver the Keynote Address. Fire Dean Wimberley of CAL FIRE will present closing thoughts.

 

Family and friends will view a student produced audiovisual presentation of their intensive 16 weeks of training. The rigorous training is designed to help serious candidates meet the requirements for demanding careers as professional firefighters, including more than 300 hours of academic and manipulative training, according to Kurt Rhoades.

 

 

 

The Spring 2012 Columbia College Fire Academy graduates:

 

Clint Thomson

Jafet Carranza-Arias

Michael Mitchell

Nicholas Crossfield

Jacob Catlett

Kelsie Scott

Jeremy Mondot

Brent Mantzouranis

Tarrah Thomas

Timothy Acker

Ryan Bochmann

Bryant Kendall 

 

For further information contact Kurt Rhoades, Fire Technology Program, at (209) 607-3265.

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Coni M. Chavez
 Executive Assistant to the President
 Columbia College
 11600 Columbia College Drive
 Sonora, CA 95370
 (209) 588-5115 • (209) 588-5161 fax
 chavezc@yosemite.edu