105th Fire Academy Celebration

Publish Date: Jan. 11, 2022

With the motto “Won’t back down,” the 30 cadets from CHC Fire Academy 105 showed that they had the grit and determination to make it through the College’s premier 18-week program and meet the State Fire Marshal’s Basic Skills requirements for Firefighter 1 & 2 Certifications.

A small private celebration with just the cadets and a handful of instructors and administrators was held on Friday, December 17. Chief Mike Alder praised the graduating cadets declaring,“Academy 105, you guys were an incredible academy. This will go down as one of the best academies we’ve ever had.”

Alder went on to discuss how the group came together as a team and each individual showed heart, making them an academy that stands out as an example of what the fire service needs in their workforce.

Alder offered the graduates advice while expressing pride in the program faculty. “Emulate these 25 instructors. They are second to none. We are here for one reason and one reason only and that is the passion for the fire service,” shared Alder.

Scholarships were presented to four students including a newly endowed scholarship from Theresa Wallin, who attended to present the inaugural award. Wallin expressed that she chose to fund this scholarship because of the benefit her son received as a cadet graduating from Academy 101. The cadet selected to receive this award, Trenton Cooper, was chosen because of his dedication to giving back to the community