A group of dedicated Key West High School students graduated this morning from the Key West Fire Department’s Firefighters Academy. Proud families, members of the Key West Fire Department, and City officials were on hand during the ceremony to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of these students who have invested two years of training for their future careers as first responders,

These students earned certifications in Firefighter I, Emergency Medical Responder, and Hazmat Awareness.

Capt. Timothy Anson, who leads the academy, praised the group for the tenacity it requires to finish the academy, noting that they would do their grueling physical training in the early hours before heading off to a full day of high school.

“The young people you see here today,” said Capt. Anson, “have made a commitment along with sacrifices that are needed to complete this challenging course.”

Fire Chief Alan Averette congratulated the students and said he hopes they pursue a career in firefighting and EMS. He pointed out that many of the current members of the department began as graduates of the academy.

“Students,” said Capt Anson, “as we told you on the first day of class and throughout the school year, the profession of firefighting is one of the most heroic and rewarding careers that you may seek out.

“This class of students before us has been placed in real life emergency firefighting situations,” he continued, “that challenged their will to overcome their fears: Fears such as climbing ladders, navigating in a zero visibility atmosphere, and fighting a live fire that reaches temperatures of upwards of 500 degrees.”

Among the attendees of the graduation ceremony was retired Fire Chief Billy Wardlow, one of the founders of the academy and a retired city commissioner. Mayor Danise "DeeDee" Henriquez and City Manager Brian L. Barroso were also in attendance to congratulate the graduates.

The two-year fire academy trains future firefighters while they’re attending their final two years of high school and provides them, upon completion, the equivalent training of a Certified Firefighter I, which puts them halfway through the training required to become a Key West Firefighter.