COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – April 17, 2024 – Pikes Peak State College, in collaboration with the Monument Fire District and Black Forest Fire Rescue, announces the graduation of the inaugural class of their Joint Fire Academy.
The graduation ceremony takes place Friday, May 3, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Woodmen Valley Chapel (1681 Wagon Bow Way, Monument, CO 80132) in Monument, CO. We invite the press to join in celebrating the first class from the landmark partnership between these three organizations that launched in November 2023. This event is not open to the public.
The ceremony will honor the hard work, dedication, and success of the first class of recruits, who have completed rigorous training and are now prepared to serve their communities with distinction. The event will feature the presentation of certificates and words from fire service leaders. The graduation will highlight these cadets' achievements and underscore the strong partnership between Pikes Peak State College, Monument Fire District, and Black Forest Fire Rescue in enhancing fire safety and education in the region.
When this group of recruits started class together in January of 2024, it signaled a historic collective commitment to advancing public safety. Leveraging the combined resources and expertise of Pikes Peak State College, Monument Fire District, and Black Forest Fire Rescue, the academy is designed to deliver unparalleled training and education to equip aspiring firefighters with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively serve and protect their community.
The graduation of this first class of recruits embodies a series of initiatives aimed at fortifying our community’s resilience. This is more than an academy graduation—it is the manifestation of a safer, brighter future, forged through solidarity and shared purpose.
Quotes from organizational leadership:
Quote from Monument Fire District Chief, Andy Kovacs:
"These new firefighters embody the spirit of service. Their readiness to face the complexities of modern firefighting is a testament to the quality of training provided by our fire academy."
Quote from Black Forest Fire Rescue Chief, PJ Langmaid:
"Our vision was to create a pipeline of highly trained professionals ready to enhance the safety of our community. Seeing these graduates, I am confident we have succeeded beyond our expectations."
Quote from Pikes Peak State College President, Dr. Lance Bolton:
"The success of this program is a shining example of what can be achieved when educational institutions and service organizations come together for a common good. Graduation is just the beginning for these outstanding men and women. We look forward to seeing the incredible ways they will contribute to their teams and help save lives."
For more information, please visit:
Pikes Peak State College Fire Science Technology Programs: PikesPeak.edu/fire-science-technology
Monument Fire District Website: MonumentFire.org
Black Forest Fire Rescue: BFFire.org
About Pikes Peak State College:
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and three bachelors’ degrees. With three campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 18,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.
About Monument Fire District:
The Monument Fire District is on a mission to serve and safeguard the community, responding to each call with unwavering dedication. Their vision encompasses progress while respecting time- honored traditions. Guided by the values of Character, Connection, and Commitment, they strive to serve with integrity, foster meaningful relationships, and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals within the community they serve.
About Black Forest Fire Rescue:
Black Forest Fire Rescue is committed to safeguarding the community with compassion and professionalism. Their vision, “Always Ready. Always Forward. Always Learning,” reflects their continuous commitment to readiness and growth. Guided by values like Duty, Honor, Integrity, Humility, and Discipline, they serve the community with unwavering dedication.
Media Contacts:
Rachel Tyrrell BS, BA
Content Coordinator in Marketing and Communications at Pikes Peak State College
Email: rachel.tyrrell@pikespeak.edu
Mobile: 719-715-3297
Jonathan Bradley,
Division Chief of Operations, Monument Fire District
Email: jbradley@monumentfire.org
Mobile: 719-484-0911
Rachel Dunn,
Administrative Officer, Logistics and Planning, Black Forest Fire Rescue
Email: rachel.dunn@bffire.org
Mobile:719-495-430