ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Cosumnes Fire Department recognized 20 newly minted firefighters on June 27 in an academy graduation ceremony.

Held at District56, the event celebrated the graduates’ hard work so far, and speakers described the rewards and challenges of life as a firefighter.

“The 20 graduates you see before you, they’ve persevered for the last five-and-a-half months of intense training: mentally, physically, emotionally,” Cosumnes Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez said in a speech. “Today is the end of the beginning, as it’s said, of their career. However, tomorrow is the beginning of what will be the noblest thing that they ever do in their entire life and that will be (serving as) a firefighter.”

Rodriguez said that the graduates will fight fires, give emergency medical treatment and perform a wide range of other services for community members. They will begin a probationary period of on-the-job training. 

Of the academy class, two are U.S. Marine Corps veterans. The vast majority are from Elk Grove or the Sacramento area. Rodriguez said that 15 of the firefighters’ positions are funded with money from the city of Elk Grove’s Measure E sales tax.

Rodriguez expressed confidence that the new firefighters would “honor tradition and protect lives.”

Elk Grove Fire Department, one of the predecessors of Cosumnes Fire, hosted its first academy 25 years ago, Deputy Chief Dan Quiggle said. Retired Capt. Mark Pascual graduated in that first class, and his daughter, Ashley Pascual, was one of the graduates on June 27.

Quiggle spoke about the commitment that it took for the graduates to undergo the months of training.

“They’re going to continue to demonstrate that commitment to themselves, to the community that we are here to serve, and to their fellow firefighters,” Quiggle said.

Family support is essential for a firefighter, Quiggle continued. Regardless of the graduates’ family situations before joining, he said, “you now have the Cosumnes Fire family in your life and your commitment to that family and that family’s commitment to you are critically important for you to be successful as a firefighter, as a paramedic and as a person.”

Jim Luttrell, board president of the Cosumnes Community Services District and a former firefighter, encouraged the graduates to always take promotion exams, take notes on their experiences and remember that they represent the fire department.

Graduate Michael Bates received an award for physical fitness, having recorded the best time on an obstacle course testing a variety of firefighter skills.

Nicholas Zagyi was named as the academy valedictorian; Academy Director Capt. Joel Burke said Zagyi hadn’t failed any written test or skills assessment.

“We began this journey with a common goal: become firefighters, firefighters that had to serve our communities and protect lives and property with courage and dedication,” Zagyi said. As we embark on this path, we quickly realize that this profession demands much more than just bravery; it requires commitment, relentless training and a profound sense of duty.”

Zagyi thanked the academy instructors for pushing the new firefighters and for providing “the bedrock to our success.” He also expressed his classmates’ gratitude for the support of their families.

“As we step into our roles as probationary firefighters, let us carry the values and principles we have learned here at the fire academy.” Zagyi said. “Let us continue to strive for excellence, to always place the need of others above our own, and to never waver in our commitment to serving and protecting our communities. Let us remember that we are not just individuals but part of a much larger team, a brotherhood and sisterhood bonded by a common purpose.”

The ceremony concluded with each graduate having their badge pinned by a loved one. Then, the firefighters took turns ringing a bell to mark the start of their career at Cosumnes Fire.

The Academy 2024-01 graduates are John Barkley, Bates, Breyton Borja, Andrew Bowers, Cristian Camacho, Kyler DeLapp, Dylan Hocevar, Steven Inderbitzin, Willie Lafradez, Maren Nelson, Nhily Nguyen, Eric Olsen, Ashley Pascual, Mark Prozorov, Carlitos Salamanca, Andrew Samano, Seth Schachter, Matthew Schuman, Darren Vogt and Zagyi.