Twenty Cadets Graduate From Hancock's Fire Academy
JULY 31, 2020 -- After 624 hours of classroom and field instruction, 20 cadets received their certificates of accomplishment from Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy on July 31. The cadets of Battalion #145 graduated during a ceremony at the Hancock’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc. The ceremony was an acknowledgment that the cadets had not only completed that training but proved that they met and exceeded the state and national certification training standards for Firefighter I Certification.
“Everyone one of these graduates has vastly improved their skills since they began their training,” said Hancock Fire Academy Coordinator Andy Densmore. “We are very proud of each and every one of them.”
Of the 20 cadets, 17 will graduate as fire service candidates, while two cadets have been hired by the Morro Bay Fire Department. Another graduating cadet was hired by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.
The ceremony included only the graduates and small number of Hancock administrators and employees. The graduates wore facemasks were seated at an appropriate distance from one another to promote health, safety and social distancing. The ceremony was streamed live on Hancock’s YouTube page.
In addition to their rigorous training, the graduates of Battalion #145 faced an additional challenge due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which initially interrupted their training in the spring. However, the cadets were able to return when college implemented new practices and guidelines that ensured social distancing and protected the health and safety of the trainees and instructors while continuing to meet and exceed state and national training standards for the program.
“I don’t need to tell you all about the effect that the pandemic has had on our country, our state, and our community, but we were blessed to be able to return and complete our training.” said academy graduate and Battalion #145 Class President Justin Martin. “Firefighters are needed more than ever, and Allan Hancock College provided us with an environment where we were able to succeed.”
The full list of cadets in Battalion #145 include Logan Armstrong, Riley Boughton-Proano, Samuel Cortese, Jacob Denton, Logan Deurloo, Beau Graham, Taylor Holden, Edward Jenks, Steven Macias, Justin Martin, John Martinez, Jason Masho, Jonathan McAninch, Johnny Ortega, Richard Pacciorini, Anthony Ramos, Peter Ravera, Brian Vazquez, Richard West and Gage Wynn.
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