Central Carolina Community College’s Fire Academy graduation was held on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center.
Mike Cameron, Fire Chief of the Southern Pines Fire Department, was the keynote speaker.
The Fire Academy cadets and their sponsoring departments are: Andrew Deal (Tramway Fire Department), Erick Deal (Tramway Fire Department), Christopher Flaker (Spout Springs Fire Department), Joseph Harris (White Cross Fire Department), Holdon Kokoszka (Benhaven Emergency Services), Scott Naylor (Northwest Harnett Fire Department), Brent Thomas (Lemon Springs Fire Department), and Lucas Thomas (Tramway Fire Department).
Cadets receiving awards were: Lucas Thomas, Most Improved; and Brent Thomas, Captain’s Award.
The Academy is a rigorous and challenging program of more than 800 hours of study and practice in fire and rescue scenarios and practicals. The cadets completed rigorous and intensive training in fire fighting, safety and survival, technical rescue, vehicle rescue, emergency vehicle driving, and hazardous materials response at the College’s Emergency Services Training Center.
Captain Wilbert “Tramp” Dunn, Retired Fire Academy Coordinator, led the Entrance of Fire Academy Cadets and Final Inspection.
Captain Robert Howard, CCCC Fire Academy Coordinator, presented awards and led the Special Recognition/Departments Assistance portion of the program.
Amy Snider-Wells, CCCC Public Safety Department Chair, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and had Welcoming and Opening Remarks.
Captain Brandon Chapman of the Sanford Fire Department sang the National Anthem, and had the Invocation and Benediction.
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard led the Presentation of the Colors.
CCCC began offering fire fighter training classes in 1964. In 2001, the Emergency Services Training Center was established at the former Sanford/Lee County Airport site in Sanford, providing greatly expanded facilities for training.
The Fire Academy opened in January 2010.
