SANTEE, CA — Thirty-three firefighter recruits from across Southern California will graduate Thursday from the 41st Heartland Fire Training Academy after completing three months of intensive training.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sonrise Church in Santee.
The graduating class represents fire agencies throughout Southern California, including Santee, Heartland Fire, San Miguel, Encinitas, Imperial Beach and Riverside, as well as fire departments serving the Viejas, Barona, Campo and La Jolla reservations.
The academy, which ran from August through November, prepares recruits for careers in firefighting and emergency response. Training includes live-fire exercises, hose-line deployments, ladder operations, rescue techniques, hazardous materials response and firefighter survival skills.
"Graduating from the fire academy represents months of hard work, discipline, and dedication," Santee Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Moynuer said.
"These recruits have been challenged physically and mentally,
developing the skills and teamwork needed to serve their communities. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the regional partnerships and resources that help prepare the next generation of firefighters."
On Oct. 15, recruits demonstrated their skills during emergency response drills and firefighting exercises for family members, fire agency leaders and community representatives at the Heartland Training Facility.
The academy is a regional partnership involving several cities, fire protection districts and tribal fire departments throughout San Diego County.
The city of Santee also credited grant funding from the San Diego River Conservancy for supporting firefighter training, equipment and other resources.
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