22ND HEARTLAND FIRE ACADEMY GRADUATED

May 2, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The 22nd Heartland Fire Academy graduation was held April 28th at the Ronald Reagan Community in El Cajon. A total of twenty-four graduates successfully completed 16-weeks of intense firefighter training at the Heartland Training facility in El Cajon in conjunction with San Diego Miramar College. The San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums Band led the graduates in as the ceremony began.

Graduates have taken positions with Heartland Fire & Rescue, Barona, San Miguel, Shelter Valley and Mt. Laguna Fire Departments. The graduates consist of paid firefighters, reserve firefighters, volunteer firefighters and seven Miramar College students. Several of the area Fire Chiefs attended the ceremony to officially welcome their new hires to the ranks.

This State Accredited Firefighter 1 Academy consists of classroom instruction and manipulative training. Academy classes were held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for 16 weeks, approximately ten hours per day. Some of the graduates are auxiliary Reserve Firefighters. This position is a great opportunity for those interested in a fire service career to gain valuable hands-on experience while giving back to the community. For more formation on the Heartland Fire Training Academy process, please visit www.heartlandfiretaining.org.