Historic Success
Del Mar College marked a significant milestone with its 45th Fire Academy, achieving an unprecedented success rarely seen in the field. Consequently, in a remarkable achievement, all 29 academy cadets passed the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structure Fire Examination on their first attempt. This outstanding result highlights the high level of training and commitment exhibited by both the cadets and the faculty.
Training Excellence
The cadets, comprising two members from the Kingsville Fire Department and 27 from the Corpus Christi Fire Department, underwent rigorous training at the DMC Windward Campus. Their preparation included hundreds of hours dedicated to mastering the skills required to excel in the examination, which took place earlier this month. Michael Schmidt, the Battalion Chief of Corpus Christi Fire Department and Director of DMC’s Fire Science Program, emphasized the importance of passing the exam swiftly to prevent delays in their ongoing training. He described their success as a crucial confidence booster for their upcoming roles.
A Boost of Confidence
Schmidt expressed immense pride in the cadets’ achievement, noting the rarity of such success. “It makes me proud that they worked that hard and did that well because that’s very rare,” Schmidt remarked. He highlighted that many institutions consider even an 80% pass rate high, which makes the 100% achievement by his cadets particularly noteworthy.
Progressive Training for Success
Reflecting on the evolution of training over the years, Schmidt compared the current duration of paramedic training to when he underwent it, pointing out that it has significantly increased from four and a half months to a year. “It’s just crazy how things progress, and it’s good. It’s growing the field, you know, making us better,” he added.
Teamwork and Dedication of Success
Cadet John Salazar shared insights into the class’s ethos, emphasizing excellence as a standard expectation. “It’s not rare to us, you know, this; we simply did what we were trained to do and did it well, as best as we could. We all helped each other,” Salazar explained, illustrating the collaborative spirit that drove them to success. Subsequently, the cadets engaged in various practical exercises at DMC, including fighting mock fires and conducting search drills, all of which were integral to their training.
Creating Bonds and Preparing for the Future
Christopher Wilson, another cadet, spoke about the strong bonds formed during the academy and the collective effort to ensure no one fell behind. “We’re going through the fire academy, going through the same things, making sure no one fell behind and then just pulling through as a team,” Wilson stated. He acknowledged the preparatory work done by previous academy batches that helped them set expectations and achieve their goals.
Looking Ahead
The academy is set to celebrate its graduation on June 14, marking the end of a significant phase in these cadets’ training and the beginning of their careers in fire service. This cohort’s success highlights their dedication and skill and sets a high benchmark for future academies at Del Mar College.