MARYSVILLE, Calif. — Yuba College graduated 26 Fire Science cadets on Nov. 22, elevating the next generation of firefighters to protect the region and meet the growing demand for public safety servants.

The ceremony kicked off with a review of the graduating class and was followed by a traditional bagpipe march from Kurt Baird, a member of the City of Sacramento Pipe Band, and a posting of colors by the Yuba City Fire Department.

Following the singing of the National Anthem, Yuba College Public Safety Department Director, Mark Covington, addressed the graduates and their families.

Fire Academy Facilitator Robert Stoddard welcomed the family and friends of graduates to the ceremony and introduced keynote speaker Retired Division Chief David Ray of the Nevada Consolidated Fire Department.

Cadet Marwin Alvarado said he has learned so much from his time in the Fire Academy and plans to continue at Yuba College to earn his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification next.

“I chose this career because it allows me to make a meaningful impact, and I’m passionate about helping others and supporting my team,” Alvarado said. “I believe there’s always room to grow and improve, no matter how experienced you are, and I’m eager to continuously build my skills. Being part of a crew excites me, as it’s a chance to learn, serve and contribute to a strong, supportive community.”

The cadets received their certificates of completion during the ceremony, signifying their achievement and readiness for employment as firefighters. In order to graduate, graduates needed to demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of fire department organization, fire control, equipment operation and prevention.

Cadet Jake Foster led the class reflections and video highlighting the cohort’s accomplishments over the semester. Cadets then received their certificates and the ceremony concluded with a message from Stoddard and a bagpipe retreat.

“I would highly recommend the Yuba College Fire Academy to anyone interested in a firefighting career,” Alvarado said. “The instructors and resources provided have been valuable in guiding us through the program. What I enjoy most is the hands-on training, which gives our class realistic, practical experience that prepares us for real-life situations.”

Yuba College’s Fire Technology program is a Yuba Community College District-wide program of instruction that includes an associate's degree, academy and advanced training courses. It serves students pursuing a transfer degree, those seeking high-paying entry-level employment following completion of state-certified training, and current firefighters who require updated skills and knowledge to stay in their field.

The Yuba College Fire Technology program consists of Degree, Firefighter I & II Academy, Basic Wildland Firefighter (Cal-Fire) and other specialized courses.

The Yuba College Regional Fire Academy #46 Graduates are Marwin Alvarado, Avery Arnold, Dylan Attalla, Brandon Bowden, Nikolas Chavez, Cesar Cruz Ventura, Randall Dalton, Gustavo Divicenzo, Jake Foster, Levi Gorrell, Chad Grenon, Tyler Hancock, Haidan Hanson, Christopher Kellison, Eric Ledesma, Carter Long, Jordan Marques, Jakob Martin, Nicholas Moody, Nicolas Moroni, Julian Ochoa, Julian Padilla, Alex Paniotov, Hannah Sporny, Andrew Thao and Ryder Waterbury.

For more information about the Fire Technology programs at Yuba College, visit https://yc.yccd.edu/publicsafety/home-page/fire-technology/.