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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County Fire Rescue celebrated the graduation of 13 future ECFR firefighters during the ECFR Fire Academy Class 25-01 graduation ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Following over 500 hours of in-class and field training, including firefighting, emergency medical responder training, live fire training and vehicle extrication education, the students completed the fire academy with an average test score of 95.7%. Class 25-01 marks the second fire academy class hosted in-house by ECFR.
ECFR Fire Academy Class 25-01 Graduates:
The following firefighters received individual honors:
"The ECFR Fire Academy instructors set a high bar for Class 25-01, and they exceeded expectations," lead instructor Lt. Geoffrey Carmichael said. "I'm proud to welcome them into the fire service and Escambia County Fire Rescue, knowing they've proven that they have the knowledge, tenacity and heart to serve with the excellence expected of an Escambia County firefighter."
Retired Army Col. Larry Perino delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony. Col. Perino served in the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, which is depicted in the book and film Black Hawk Down. Now the Assistant Vice President of Business Solutions at Navy Federal Credit Union, he shared is story of military service, the lessons he learned in the Army, and challenged the cadets to strive to be the best firefighters they can be.
Class 25-01 will now complete their journey to becoming full-time firefighters within ECFR by completing the Beyond Minimum Standards course over the next seven weeks.
In May 2024, Escambia County Fire Rescue administration directed the ECFR Training Division to develop and launch the ECFR Fire Academy. With Escambia County continuing to grow and the department committed to providing the highest level of protection to its residents, the Training Division conducted a physical abilities test, hired the Fire Academy’s first cadets, and began their journey through the Florida State Fire College’s required 492 hours of training to earn Firefighter II certification.
The academy curriculum includes firefighting, emergency medical responder training, live fire exercises and vehicle extrication. What sets the ECFR Fire Academy apart is its instructors, all of whom are ECFR firefighters and lieutenants.
Led by Lt. Geoffrey Carmichael, the instructors served not only as educators but also as mentors. The training these cadets received lays the foundation for their careers, equipping them with the knowledge and experience they will continue to build upon as firefighters serving Escambia County.
View photos from the ECFR Fire Academy Class 25-01 graduation here.
View the official Class 25-01 picture slideshow here.
ECFR Fire Academy Cadet Class 25-01
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