SANFORD, N.C. - Central Carolina Community College's Fire Academy graduation was held on Wednesday, March 13, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center.

Chief Robert Howard, CCCC Fire Academy Coordinator, and Captain Sarah Tart, CCCC Fire and Rescue Coordinator, both participated in the program.

The Fire Academy cadets, with their affiliated agencies, are: Christopher Carter, Holly Springs Fire Department; Jose Garcia, Spout Springs Emergency Services; Patrick Iammatteo, Holly Springs Fire Department; Matthew Leo, Holly Springs Fire Department; Logan Quinlan, North Chatham Fire Department; Elijah Roth, Cypress Pointe Fire Department; Shawn Sabato, Holly Springs Fire Department; Thomas Stewart, Spout Springs Emergency Services; Andrew Whitaker, Carthage Fire Department; and William Whitaker, Carthage Fire Department.

The Academy is a rigorous and challenging program of more than 1,000 hours of study and practice in fire and rescue scenarios and practicals. The cadets completed rigorous and intensive training in firefighting, safety and survival, technical rescue, vehicle rescue, emergency vehicle driving, hazardous materials response, and Emergency Medical Technician training.

CCCC began offering firefighter 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.

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.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College - which is dedicated to providing pathways to achievable dreams, visit www.cccc.edu.