Twelve New Fire Fighters Earn Certifications
Angelina College on Monday celebrated the achievements of 12 new firefighters, as AC’s Fire Academy held its graduation ceremony for Class 25-63 inside the Hudgins Hall Auditorium.
Cadet Andrew C. “Cole” Caldwell won the award for Highest Academic Achievement, while cadet Brian Barnes received the Most Outstanding Cadet award after votes from his fellow fire fighters.
Justin Guynes of the Houston Fire Department served as the keynote speaker, and he reminded the new fire fighters that while they’ve overcome plenty of challenges to make it to the stage, there are bigger challenges ahead.
“You’ll face fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters,” Guynes said, “and you may be away from family for weeks at a time. The support of your family and friends will make a big difference.
“With this career, you have to have a work ethic, and you’ve got to love the job. If you pick this profession, you’ll fall in love with it. You get to serve others, and there’s nothing better.”
Guynes also reminded the new fire fighters of the profession’s motto: Courage, Commitment and Compassion. Guynes said every department makes those qualities part of its overall mission.
“This is just to remind us of what citizens expect of us,” Guynes said. “We all wear gear – even the clothing these cadets are wearing tonight – that has the Maltese Cross on it, and we have to keep in mind that it represents our commitment to courage, honor and selflessness.”
Caldwell reminded his classmates of just how far they’d come since first walking through the doors of the academy.
“We weren’t sure of what lay ahead, but we quickly learned there were going to be pushups,” Caldwell said. “This academy wasn’t just about physical fitness or classroom learning. It was about discipline and respect and learning to carry ourselves with a purpose.
“The path to get here wasn’t easy, nor was it supposed to be. Every day offered a new set of challenges, and we know this profession will do the same thing.”
Graduating fire cadets, along with their hometowns of record, were as follows:
Austin D. Ajamian, Redding, CA; Brian A. Barnes, Nacogdoches, TX; Andrew C. Caldwell, Nacogdoches, TX; Case E. Cavness, Centerville, TX; Bradley M. Davison, Jr., Chester, TX: Joachim N. Gutierrez, Lufkin, TX; Delaney M. Hancock, Cushing, TX; Justin W. Mitcham, Jr., Colmesneil, TX; Rene Ramirez, Jr., Lufkin, TX; Camden M. Varkadoz, Lufkin, TX; Alex Villafuerte, Corrigan, TX; and Mason C.D. Wilson, Lufkin, TX.
Instructors and staff for Class 25-63: Jason Pope, Chief Training Officer, Angelina College Fire Academy; Shawn Dillon, Assistant Coordinator, Angelina College Fire Academy/Nacogdoches Fire Department; Ashley Jowell, Angelina College Police Department/Director of Public Safety Training Fire/Law Enforcement; Kim Capps, Public Safety Specialist; Jeffery Barker, Needham FD; Adam Inman, Porter FD; Robert Anthony, Nacogdoches FD; Larry Tutt, Lufkin FD; Jason Stuck, Lufkin FD; Chayce Holcombe, Lufkin FD; Mason King, Nacogdoches FD; Justin Guynes, Houston FD; and William Gates, Angelina College Fire Academy.
For further information regarding Angelina College’s Fire Academy, contact Jason Pope at jpope@angelina.edu.
