CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – The inaugural Talladega County Career Tech Fire and Rescue Academy is complete, and with twelve students passing the standard, it has been deemed a great success.
Beginning on Monday, June 6, the fire and rescue academy started with most classes being taught at the Childersburg Fire Department. The program was created by the Talladega County Board of Education and included partnerships with the Alabama Fire College as well as the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement.
During the last month, student trainees were educated on multiple fire department techniques and practices such as how to put on and take off PPE (personal protective equipment), how to operate in extreme heat conditions, tying unique knots, ladder safety, forcing entry, search and rescue techniques, evacuation drills, confined space navigation, and techniques to evacuate a downed firemen.
The students had to pass four exams throughout the course, and the following academy attendees aced all the exams to graduate the training school this summer.
-Alex Baird
-Jacob Baird
-Braxton Benefield
-Dallas Blair
-Omari McClain
-Joshua McRaney
-Leyton Moeser
-Sierra Neaves
-Savanah Owens
-Brantson Smith
-Nigel Smith
-Hayden Vincent
A list of top professionals in the fire and rescue field offered their congratulations to the graduates, including Dr. Reginald Freeman, the Fire Chief for the Oakland, Calif. Fire Department.
“The perseverance you all have demonstrated to overcome obstacles and accomplish things that maybe you didn’t feel were possible when you first started this program [is remarkable],” said Dr. Freeman. “Having the honor and the privilege to be a public servant, there’s nothing more honorary than that.”