ROCK SPRINGS – Residents of Sweetwater County have been celebrating graduations for the past few weeks. This past week a different kind of graduation took center stage.

Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 celebrated the graduation of seven from its fire academy. The seven included two members of the Castle Rock Ambulance and one from the Superior Fire Department. The graduates were Reagan Kent, Sarah Merhar, Shaun Kerbs, Cassidy Baird, Jeffery Homan, Jessica Thompson and Ron Chenevert. Merhar was this year’s top graduate scoring the highest in the academy.

The seven graduates started the local academy – which is provided by Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 – in January. Several months and approximately 180 hours of time spent, the graduates received several certificates including their Firefighter 1 certificate.

Fire District Chief Scott Kitchner explained they started the academy approximately eight years ago to provide a way for those interested in the profession to get involved without having to travel to do it.

Not only did the graduates get their Firefighter 1 certificate they also receiving certification in hazmat awareness, hazmat operations and next week will finish their wildfire red card certification.

Kitchner explained the academy is what they call a blended academy because recruits do both classroom work as well as getting hands-on training.

In the academy, recruits meet once a week for three hours. They also have to meet five weekends along the way to complete hands on training in the different areas.

Recruits complete a different chapter while being tested and quizzed on a website along the way. Kitcher said the website also has different videos and powerpoint presentations recruits can use to get more knowledge on the different aspects of the job. They also have to complete three levels of Incident Command classes as well. To get the Firefighter 1 and Hazmat certificates recruits have to pass a state test.

The local academy provides many benefits to both the district and to local residents. Kitchner said it is a cost savings for both the district and the recruits because they do not have to travel to get the necessary training.

All the equipment used is Fire District No. 1 equipment so those who graduate already have a knowledge of the trucks and equipment they will be using. Kitchner said the classes are all taught by members of District No. 1 and runs concurrently with the normal firefighter training. This lets recruits get to know everyone on the team before hand which helps build team chemistry.

This is important because at graduation, recruits are given their equipment and are ready to go to work. Kitchner said the recent graduates hit the ground running as many of them went on their first call last night involving the car accident on Aspen Mountain.

“They have already started serving the community,” Kitchner said

Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 starts recruiting for the academy in November and December but Kitchner said those interested can turn in applications at any time. The academy then starts in January. While there is not a limit of people who can take part in the academy, Kitcher said between 10 and 15 people is the ideal size for the academy.