On May 31, the first cohort of students graduated from Beaufort County Community College’s fire academy. The program, started by Fire Program Director Johnny Williams, finished its inaugural run as the eight students were honored. The cohort included: William Equils of Swan Quarter; Greg Graham and Michael Mann of Chocowinity; Hunter Gurganus, Andrew Noell and Tanner Phelps of Plymouth; Nathan Lapp of Old Ford; and Jacob Powell of Williamston.

Students earned certifications in firefighting, HazMat response, emergency vehicle driving, technical rescue and vehicle rescue. Elected class leader Nathan Lapp has already been hired to the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS. All of the students serve as volunteer firefighters in their respective communities. As Lapp spoke, he reminded his cohort that the people they interact with are often having the worst day of their lives. He emphasized that firefighters need to be empathetic to the victims.

Chief Robbie Rose of Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS addressed the cohort.

“Your No. 1 priority is your safety,” he said. He said the students owe it to their families to return home safely. He also encouraged professionalism and the need for further training. He warned the graduates not to become complacent or the world will pass by them.

The program represents the first time that volunteer firefighters can achieve academy-style training in this region. Many firefighters have had to travel to Wilson to attend a fire academy. The only full-time fire department in the BCCC service area is the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS Department. The rest of the firefighters in the service area are volunteers.

“I had heard about teamwork before but never really was exposed to (it until) I joined this academy and was forced to work with other people,” said academy graduate William Equils. “The academy was more than just training to me. It was the start of something that is going to be a part of my life forever.”

Since the program began, BCCC has constructed a state-of-the-art fire training facility where students practice working in dark and confined spaces, rappelling and working with live fire. Currently, fire trucks must be on site during live fire training, as there is no running water to the building. The City of Washington has pledged to fund half of the cost of connecting the facility to municipal water if Beaufort County funds the other half, but so far the county commissioners have been unable to do so, leaving the facility without water.

Local fire departments are so enthusiastic about the training facilities at BCCC that they donate foam and bring their vehicles out during live burns. Their departments and the new graduates are the beneficiaries of the new facilities and the new academy.

“I once saw a quote that stated, ‘Tomorrow’s victory is today’s training,’” said Stacey Gerard, vice president of continuing education. “I am proud that BCCC had the opportunity to provide ‘today’s training’ to these firefighters. I am confident that each firefighter will go on to serve their communities well.”

The next fire academy starts Aug. 15. This academy will be on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights and every other Saturday.

For more information about the fire academy, contact Johnny Williams at 252-940- 6363 or johnny.williams@beaufortccc.edu.