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Fifteen firefighters-in-training graduated from the Tulsa Regional Fire Academy ready to step into a job with a local fire department. These fifteen 91Ӱ�� students are the first class to complete a challenging concentrated semester of coursework which combines classroom learning, hands-on skills training, and physical fitness.

The 14 men and one woman are part of a blended program where they earn college credit and complete firefighter training at the same time. The inaugural class is a result of a partnership with the Tulsa Fire Department and 91Ӱ��.

“Our graduates will be walking right into jobs with area fire departments. We know that several of our students from the inaugural class will be employed as firefighters across the Tulsa area by January,” said Regional Fire Academy Director, Chief Greta Hurt of Tulsa Fire Department. “The Tulsa Regional Fire Academy is an innovative model used to produce skilled and certified firefighters.”

The FFITs started the Tulsa Regional Fire Academy in August and attended classes Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training is done at the Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center at 91Ӱ�� Northeast Campus, operated through a partnership between 91Ӱ��, TFD and the City of Tulsa.

“91Ӱ�� is committed to produce workforce ready graduates and the Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center, a state-of-the-art fire training facility, is just one way we have evolved our academic program,” said 91Ӱ�� President & CEO Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D. “The Fire and Emergency Medical Services program is part of 91Ӱ��’s culture, dating back to 1970 when we opened, as one of the original degree programs.”

The partnership allows students to be eligible for federal student loans since it provides college credit as it prepares the student to be a firefighter. Students in the Tulsa Regional Fire Academy earn a 16-credit hour Fire and Emergency Medical Services Certificate, Advanced Firefighter option from 91Ӱ��. Students can then apply those college credit hours to a Fire & Emergency Medical Services Associate of Applied Science degree. After successfully completing the academy, students will meet all of the minimum certification requirements needed to be employed as a firefighter in the State of Oklahoma and many other states.

The Tulsa Regional Fire Academy is already recruiting for the fall 2019 class. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and will be responsible for the cost of tuition and fees. Selected students must submit the Fire Academy Application, a doctor’s signed physical or release, copy of Oklahoma driver license and proof of insurance by June 1 for consideration. For more information please call Chief Greta Hurt at 918-596-1989.