Many thanks and congratulations: The BCFFA Fall 2023 graduating class completed the academy’s Firefighter I program and earned their certifications.[/caption]

On Friday, November 17, 2023, the Boulder County Firefighters Association (BCFFA) honored the members of their Fall 2023 graduating class for completing Firefighter I and Firefighter II training. Nine students from districts across Boulder County earned their Firefighter I certification, having run endless drills on the tower located at the Boulder County training center and learned fundamental firefighting skills.

Family, friends, and colleagues were in attendance to cheer on the graduates. The room was full of fellow firefighters from across the county, from recruits to Fire Marshals and Fire Chiefs, all dressed in uniform, present to honor those who have dedicated themselves to one of the most dangerous, important, and selfless of the civil services.

Ethan Lake of Boulder Mountain Fire; Kyle Coffman of Coal Creek Fire; Justin Arellano, Trevor Harris, Alexander Snow, Shane Timmerman, and Tanner Wilkins of Hygiene Fire; Tara Sergo of Nederland Fire; and Thomas Nolan of Northwest Fire all earned their Firefighter I certification after a grueling 10 weeks in the academy, plus two weeks for Hazmat training.

Zach Bertges of Fourmile Fire; Nathan Brons and Kevin Esmail of Hygiene Fire; and Larissa Briscombe and Ian Irwin-Powell of Nederland Fire earned their Firefighter II certification. The Firefighter II program offers more advanced training in structural fire control and rescue operations.

Retired Captain for Boulder Rural Fire Robert O’Donnell welcomed those in attendance and emceed the graduation ceremony, calling out each graduate’s name from each district as the district Fire Chiefs handed out the certificates and badges. And retired firefighter from Mountain View Fire Rescue Russ Benzel presented the Will Easland Firefighter Excellence Award.

Easland fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter in 2019 despite recovering from a rare liver cancer that he was diagnosed with at the age of 22. While in academy his cancer returned; in 2020 he entered full-time hospice care, and on October 5, 2021, he passed away.

The Firefighter Excellence award was named for Easland for his dedication and love of fire service, and is awarded to those who showcase that same passion and excellence. The 2023 Will Easland Firefighter Excellence Award was presented to Thomas Nolan from the Northwest Fire division.

At the end of every session, during their time in training, the team of recruits in the Firefighter I program would have to complete as many push ups as there were days left in the academy. To signify the end of their time in the academy, the recruits lined up and hit the floor to complete one last push up.

Congratulations to all the hardworking volunteers and firefighters who have stepped up to provide an invaluable service to their communities, to put their lives on the line and serve towards the safety and wellbeing of all.