Cochise College hosted a special ceremony on Friday, Dec. 15, to commemorate the graduation of eight new firefighters at the Sierra Vista Campus. This marks the successful completion of the first-ever Fire Science Training Academy in Cochise County, a significant milestone in emergency response training. 
The inaugural class comprised of eight City of Sierra Vista recruits, who completed an intensive 8-week training, dedicating 40 hours per week to honing their firefighting skills. All graduates are now proud employees of the City of Sierra Vista, ready to serve their community in the crucial role of first responders.
Dr. Eric Brooks, the executive director of the First Responders Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for this achievement. “This is the first Fire Academy that Cochise College has had in Cochise County,” remarked Dr. Brooks, highlighting the historic nature of the occasion and the college’s commitment to educating first responders.
The success of this accelerated program was made possible through a collaborative effort with the City of Sierra Vista, underlining the importance of partnerships in advancing public safety initiatives. The City’s support enabled a comprehensive training curriculum, preparing the graduates for the challenges they may encounter in their firefighting careers.
“We hope to continue running Fire Science Training Academies in the future, opening them up to other departments in the county,” Brooks stated. The vision is to extend the benefits of this accelerated program to a broader audience across Cochise County and the State of Arizona.
The collaboration with the City of Sierra Vista was acknowledged as key to the program’s success. Dr. Brooks emphasized, “We greatly appreciate our partnerships with the City of Sierra Vista. This is yet another success story for our community.” The cooperative efforts between Cochise College and the City of Sierra Vista underscore the importance of community engagement and a shared commitment to serving our community.
As the eight graduates begin their careers as firefighters, they carry the distinction of being pioneers in the first-ever accelerated Fire Science Training Academy in Cochise County. Their dedication and training serve as a testament to the college’s mission to empower local first responders and elevate the standard of emergency services throughout the region.
The graduates for Class 2023-1 are:
David Coronado, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Jacob Day, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Corrine Ferguson, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
James Gordon, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Isaiah Meeker, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Keith Pratt, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Michael Rybski, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services
Michael Tenney, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services