SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College's Fire Academy graduation was held on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.

Chief Matthew Poole, of the Garner Fire Department, was the keynote speaker.

The Fire Academy cadets and their sponsoring departments are: Elias Z. Dove (Boone Trail Emergency Services), Connor F. Gaines (Northview Fire and Rescue), Tanner J. Hicks (Erwin Fire and Rescue), Bailey A. Howard (Cape Fear Rural Fire Department), Lonnie F. Kiker IV (Northwest Pocket Fire Department), Matthew R. Lasater (Boone Trial Emergency Services), Austin W. Roberts (Tramway Fire and Rescue), Steven Seagroves (Northview Fire and Rescue), Evan W. Shaw (Goldston Fire and Rescue), Spencer W. Shaw (Westside Fire & Rescue Fire Department), Marcus S. Stein (Tramway Fire and Rescue), William M. Sturdivant (Pittsboro Fire and Rescue), Zachary S. Thomas (Northview Fire and Rescue), Morgon R. White (Silk Hope Fire Department), Michael T. Wilson (Boone Trail Emergency Services), and Charles W. Woodard (Eastern Wake Fire and Rescue).

Cadets receiving awards were: Charles W. Woodard, Most Improved; Connor F. Gaines, Valedictorian; and Michael T. Wilson, Captain's Award.

The Academy is a rigorous and challenging program of more than 1,000 hours of study and practice in fire and EMS emergency scenarios. The cadets completed rigorous and intensive training in fire fighting, safety and survival, physical agility, and emergency medical services at the college's Emergency Services Training Center.

Captain Wilbert "Tramp" Dunn is CCCC Fire Academy Coordinator. Captain Tim Houston is Assistant Fire Academy Coordinator. Chief Hampton Williams is CCCC Fire and Rescue Training Coordinator.

CCCC began offering fire fighter training classes in 1964. In 2001, the Emergency Services Training Center was established at the former Sanford/Lee County Airport site in Sanford, providing greatly expanded facilities for training.

Since then, a new classroom building, a burn building, a rescue training tower, and other facilities have been added at the site. The Fire Academy opened in January 2010.

For information on CCCC's Fire Academy, contact the CCCC Fire and Rescue Coordinator at 919-777-7778.