Crafton Hills College (CHC) graduated its 87th Fire Academy Class on Friday, December 15 at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
This year’s 22 graduates are Brian Bowman (Murrieta), Spencer Chaffee (Alta Loma), Aaron Chandler (Riverside), Joseph Chapman (Yucaipa), William Dube (Big Bear), Kory Falls (Banning), Samuel Fraijo (Riverside), Mason Kolozsvari (Beaumont), Brett Lever (Rancho Cucamonga), Devin Lopez (Colton), Christopher Muir (Yucaipa), Hildardo Padilla (Riverside), Alexander Riley (Yucaipa), Joaquin Silos (Beaumont), Brian Thomas (Redlands), Blake Ticer (Sugarloaf), Austin Trudeau (Rancho Cucamonga), Emilio Valdovinos (Fontana), Deandra Van Houten, (Huntington Beach), Matthew Van Norman (Redlands), Sawyer Wooton (Upland), and Caesar Zurita (Yucaipa). Cadets develop the skills required for Firefighter I Certification including teamwork, positive attitudes, and public service commitment. The Firefighter I Basic Training Academy is approved by the California State Fire Marshal's Office as an accredited Regional Training Center. In conjunction with CAL FIRE, these graduates also earned a CAL FIRE Basic Wildland Fire Fighting Certification.
As one of the 114 colleges in the California community college system, Crafton Hills College is committed to providing citizens in the region with an accessible higher education. The philosophy of California's community colleges is that education is the key to better jobs, a better economy, and a better quality of life. CHC offers 50 degree programs and 25 occupational certificate programs. Spring 2018 Fire Academy applications are being accepted until January 11, 2018.