Fifty-Three Cadets Graduate From Hancock's Fire and EMS Programs
DECEMBER 10, 2021 -- Allan Hancock College celebrated 53 cadets who graduated from the college’s Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in two separate ceremonies on Dec. 10 at the Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Lompoc.
A total of 22 cadets graduated from the Fire Academy as part of Battalion 148. Before the ceremony, friends and family of the academy’s graduates got the chance to see the cadets show off their skills with a live firefighting demonstration on the PSTC’s state-of-the-art training grounds.
In order to graduate, the 22 cadets completed 624 hours of classroom and hands-on skills training, proving through a rigorous evaluation process that they met and exceeded the State and National Firefighter Certification Training Standards. Two of the graduates, Wyatt Navarro and Jhony Rodriguez, have already secured jobs with the San Luis Obispo County and Morro Bay fire departments, respectively.
Later that same day, 31 cadets graduated from the college’s EMS program. The graduation was the culmination of 16 weeks of classroom and field instruction. During their training, the cadets learned critical skills such as patient handling and moving, emergency vehicle driving and more. Much of the training was hands-on and utilized the state-of-the-art equipment and technology available at the PSTC. In addition to traditional classroom learning environments, the cadets also trained in one of the only community college EMS simulation labs in the state. Hancock’s high-tech lab includes simulation manikins and an ambulance simulator that allows students to experience and practice the treatment of a patient while in a moving vehicle.
“These programs are an excellent example of what community colleges are all about,” said Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Hancock is giving these students the skills they need to serve the public, earn a living wage, and be the future leaders in their communities.”
The fire and EMS academies are just two of many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs the college offers. Potential students are encouraged to explore these and other degree and certificate programs on the college’s new Guided Pathways website at www.hancockcollege.edu/pathways. Registration is open for spring classes, which start on Jan. 24. Register today at www.hancockcollege.edu/spring.
- AHC -
Photo Caption: Fifty-three cadets graduated from AHC’s Fire Academy and EMS programs on Dec. 10.
