Eight Graduate From BCCC's First Fire Academy | Eastern North Carolina Now

    WASHINGTON, NC     On Tuesday, 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 Swanquarter; 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 responder, emergency vehicle driving, technical rescuer and vehicle rescue. Elected class leader Nathan Lapp has already been hired to the Washington Fire Department. All of the students currently serve as volunteer firefighters in the respective communities. As Lapp spoke, he reminded his cohort that the people they interact with are often having the worst day of their life. He emphasized that firefighters need to be empathetic to the victims.


The graduates of BCCC’s fire academy: (front left to right) Greg Graham, Andrew Noell, Hunter Gurganus and Tanner Phelps; (back left to right) Nathan Lapp, Michael Mann, Jacob Powell and William Equils.

    Chief Robbie Rose of Washington Fire, Rescue and EMS addressed the cohort. "Your number one 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 them by.

    The program represents the first time that volunteer firefighters can achieve an 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 and EMS Department. The rest of the firefighters in the service area are volunteers.

    "I had heard about team work 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, firetrucks must be onsite 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 August 15th. 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 johhny.williams@beaufortccc.edu.

• Contact: Attila Nemecz
•     (252)-940-6387