Twenty-two students successfully completed the fifth and sixth sessions of the Inner Banks Fire Academy at Beaufort County Community College on December 17. The program prepares students to serve as professional firefighters with municipal departments or as volunteers with local fire stations.
Beaufort CCC has experienced continued growth in its fire and emergency management training programs. The college now offers both daytime and evening fire academies, along with advanced continuing education opportunities for active firefighters.
Graduates of Class 005 include Ryan Adams, Anthony Autry, Jacob Gorman, Justin Gray, Brandon Harris, Brandon Jones, Philip Lapp, Justin Lilley, Alex McSweeney, Erick Morgado-Espinoza, Andrew Puskas, Thomas Sparks, Rayce Wallace, Ted Wallace, Allison Williams, and Coleman Williams.
Graduates of Class 006 include Ronald Flanagan, Austin Garrett, Joshua Houston, Luke Jones, Corey Riddick, and Daniel Van Essendelft.
During the graduation ceremony, guest speaker Brian Lilley, a captain with Washington Fire and Rescue and instructor for the daytime Inner Banks Fire Academy, spoke about the selfless nature of firefighting and its essential role in serving the community. He emphasized the importance of pride, perseverance, punctuality, and stepping up to meet the responsibilities of the profession.
Daniel Van Essendelft and Brandon Jones both delivered remarks on behalf of their respective classes.
The Inner Banks Fire Academy provides entry-level training for individuals pursuing careers in the fire service, whether paid or volunteer. The program begins with Basic EMT training to prepare cadets for medical emergencies. The second phase includes coursework required to become a North Carolina Certified Firefighter, with instruction in rapid intervention, safety and survival, and advanced vehicle extraction techniques. The final phase focuses on hazardous materials operations, allowing cadets to earn HazMat responder certification.
Throughout the program, cadets also gain hands-on experience with station life duties, preparing them for 24-hour shifts in professional fire service or the demands of busy volunteer departments.
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