SFSC Graduates 36 Cadets from Three Public Safety Programs

SFSC honored 36 graduating students from three Public Safety programs in a ceremony on Wednesday, July 31 on the SFSC Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

The nine cadets from SFSC’s Fire Science Academy are: Michael Beasley, Aiden Brantley, Noah Browning, Cameron Cantu, Jesus Inciarte Fuenmayor, Sebastian Orozco, Jaycen Register, Aleecia Rhoden, and Uriel Tovar. Special recognition went to: Michael Beasley, as Class Leader; Cameron Cantu for earning Highest GPA; and Jaycen Register for Most Heart.

The eight cadets from the Paramedic program are: Jack Arseneau, Jackson Campbell, Clayton Johnson, David Julius, Hunter Knuckles, Antoinette Stewart, Jorge Sanchez-Torres, and Elizabeth Velazquez. Special recognition went to: Elizabeth Velazquez for Highest GPA in Lecture, Jorge Sanchez-Torres for Highest GPA in Lab, and Clayton Johnson for Most Heart.

The 19 cadets from the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program are: Zachary Durastanti, Davian Gamez-Cendejas, David Hagelstein III, Emily Jestes, Tiana Jones, Chloe Mason, Ismael Mejia, Michael Smith, Jerry Whitten, Victoria Wright, Jonathan Young, Jeremiah Bessard, Jordan Frazier, Stephen Goff, Danielle Medley, Meggan Mills, Jennifer Moore, Aaron Murray, and Makayla Vansickle. Special recognition went to: Davian Gamez-Cendejas for Highest GPA in Lecture, Makayla Vansickle for Highest GPA in Lab, and Jeremiah Bessard for Most Heart.

Chief Matt Zahara of the Fort Meade Fire Department was guest speaker during the ceremony.

Graduates of the Firefighter Career Certificate program have completed 492 contact hours of training. A cohort of cadets enroll in the Firefighter I course, often with the expectation of continuing through to Firefighter II training. Firefighter II training is required for those who wish to be employed as professional firefighters in Florida.

The paramedic graduates completed an 11-month College Credit Certificate course offered through SFSC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. Paramedics work as part of an emergency response team called out to traffic accidents, fires, and other life-threatening situations.

The EMT graduates completed the 16 weeks of training, or 300 contact hours, in the program. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Florida EMT State Board Exam. EMTs function as part of an emergency rescue and transportation team by responding to emergency calls through a dispatch system, operating emergency vehicles safely, assessing scenes of accidents or illnesses, setting priorities for treating patients based on their degree of illness or injury, providing pre-hospital emergency care to treat trauma, shock, wounds, and other medical issues.

For more information about any of SFSC’s Public Safety programs, call ext. 7278 or visit southflorida.edu.