AC Fire Academy to Celebrate Graduation of Future Firefighters
The newest cadets, who have completed months of intensive training in preparation for careers in firefighting and emergency response, will graduate from Amarillo College’s Regional Fire Academy this weekend.
The graduation ceremony will take place at noon Saturday, May 10 the AmTech Career Academy at 3601 Plains Blvd., in Amarillo. Family, friends, and community members are invited to join in celebrating the accomplishments of these future first responders.
“These cadets have spent months learning not just how to fight fire, but how to think critically under pressure, communicate effectively, and work as a unified team in life-threatening situations,” said Stephen Malley, Fire Academy Coordinator. “We’ve challenged them physically, mentally, and emotionally—and they’ve risen to every challenge.”
The Amarillo College Fire Academy is certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and delivers real-world, scenario-based training including live burns, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical preparedness.
“Our goal isn’t just to train cadets to pass a test,” Malley said. “We train them to save lives—to protect property, their teammates, and the communities they serve. It’s an honor to see them take this next step into careers in firefighting.”
Graduates test for Firefighter Certification through the TCFP and are prepared to pursue positions in fire departments across Texas and beyond.
Spring 2025 Amarillo College Fire Academy Graduates
Class 60 Candidates
• Lt. Hunter Bales
• Lt. Garret Carter
• Jennifer Davis
• Heriberto Elizondo-Carrillo
• Hayden Gardner
• Capt. Paul Horn
• Eric Lara
• Benigno Nayola
• Isiah Nunez
• Jared Rios
• Lt. Jaydin Rios
• Alejandra Tovar
• Karter Vanosdol
• Carl Yoder
Class 61 Candidates
• John Faught
• Israel Guevara
• Jacob Whitaker
About the Amarillo College Regional Fire Academy:
The Amarillo College Regional Fire Academy is a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)-certified basic fire suppression program that prepares students for entry-level firefighter positions. The program provides extensive hands-on training and offers a direct pathway into the firefighting profession. Training is offered at the state-of-the-art Amarillo College First Responders Academy. Applications are currently being accepted for our next academies which will begin in August 2025. For more information, visit www.actx.edu/fire, email ssmalley@actx.edu, or call 806-457-4465.