NCC Recognizes Fire Academy Graduates
Nash Community College recognized the graduates of Recruit Firefighter Training Academy #080122 on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM in the college’s Brown Auditorium.
NCC’s intense 19 week academy is well-known throughout the state for producing highly qualified and employable graduates.
Michael Roupp, Assistant Chief of Operations at Rocky Mount Fire Department, delivered the address. “Today we stand with you as the fire service and say outstanding job. Now go out and put the techniques you learned to practice and be the best employee, co-worker, family and friend you can possibly be as you embark on the greatest career there is. ”
Roupp challenged the group to invest in their family and your co-workers every day, to trust the process and to never give up. He encouraged them saying, “If you’re going to fall, always fall forward.”
Discipline, character, professionalism, and teamwork are a few of the core values instilled in recruits who go through Nash Community College’s Fire Academy.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these 15 new firefighters,” NCC’s Director of Fire Services Joseph Parks said. “They were told at the very first meeting that it would be tough physically. We are preparing their bodies for the training challenges that are to come. They were also told it would be even tougher mentally than physically. That is because this academy is designed to mirror what it is like to work at a fire department. This group came together and will always be linked to one another as a family.”
Offered twice each year, students earn state certifications in Firefighter I & II, Hazardous Materials Level I Responder, Rapid Intervention Crew, and Emergency Vehicle Driver. Soft skills training and interviewing best practices are also taught during training. At the end of the training, students have an opportunity to increase their marketability by completing the six-week Emergency Medical Technician Academy.
Students were recognized for high achievement during the academy. Sawyer McLamb was the Academic Award recipient for earning the highest academic average. He also received the Flame Award as the “most outstanding” student based upon overall accomplishments in the academy as determined by peer vote. When casting votes for the Flame Award, the students are asked to consider the level of teamwork, fellowship, enthusiasm and cooperation demonstrated by each member of the academy. The final award, the Instructional Excellence Award, was given to Captain John Miller of Rocky Mount Fire Department. This recipient is selected by the class for being the most influential instructor throughout training. To be considered for this award, the instructor must be approachable, serving as a mentor and motivator to the class, and displaying a strong dedication to training.
“You have just completed one of the most difficult fire academies in the state of North Carolina,” Rocky Mount Fire Chief Corey Mercer said. “You are to be commended on your performance and your perseverance to stay the course and see the journey through even on days when you thought you couldn’t. You have chosen a career, not a job. We hope you’ll find your calling in the fire service and we look forward to watching you grow in your career.”
The next academy is scheduled to begin on February 6, 2023. A high school diploma or equivalency and medical screening are required prior to entering the academy. Application packets must be turned in prior to the start of each academy. The cost for members of volunteer fire or rescue departments is approximately $600 and for unaffiliated applicants, the cost is approximately $1200. Scholarship opportunities may be available.
For more information, visit www.nashcc.edu/fire, email japarks297@nashcc.edu or call 252-451-8480.
Congratulations to the following graduates:
Justin Braswell (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Sawyer McLamb (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Isaac Randolph (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
John Smith (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Jackson Summerlin (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Thomas Wilder (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Jacob Felhauer (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Matthew Norton (Roanoke Rapids Fire Department)
Jacob Harrell (Roanoke Rapids Fire Department)
Dylan Hinkle (Nashville Fire Department)
Coy Kosola
William Letchworth
Hunter Martin
Milton Robinson (Rocky Mount Fire Department)
Connor Shaw (Roanoke Rapids Fire Department)
