In an evening of pride, remembrance and celebration, the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) and the Prescott Fire Department (PFD) welcomed 14 new firefighters — nine for CAFMA and five for PFD — during a graduation ceremony in June at the Yavapai College Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center.
The event marked the culmination of months of rigorous training. The ceremony opened with a presentation by the Honor Guard and the sounds of bagpipes, underscoring the strong traditions of the Fire Service.
Each recruit was pinned with their badge by a family member or close friend. Following the pinning, City of Prescott Mayor Phil Goode administered the oath of office to the five new Prescott Fire Department firefighters, while Interim Fire Chief John Feddema delivered the oath for CAFMA’s nine graduates.
A solemn and poignant moment came as fallen Recruit Dylan Wallace was honored with a moment of silence. His badge was presented to his father in a moving tribute, reminding all in attendance that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of firefighters.
CAFMA Recruit Raul Rocha was named the inaugural recipient of the Top Recruit Award, recognizing his exceptional performance, leadership and commitment throughout the academy.
Special recognition was also given to Robert Borker, Director of Fire Science with Yavapai College, whose dedication and support have been instrumental in building a strong partnership between agencies and supporting the success of each academy class.
CAFMA and PFD also would like to extend sincere gratitude to the dedicated training teams and Recruit Training Officers (RTOs) from both departments. Their leadership, professionalism and dedication to developing tomorrow’s firefighters were critical to the success of this academy. Their mentorship has laid a strong foundation for these new recruits as they begin serving their communities.
both agencies extend their sincere appreciation to their professional staff members whose behind-the-scenes efforts supported the success of the academy and brought the graduation ceremony to life. Their dedication, coordination and attention to detail ensured a meaningful and seamless experience for recruits and their families.
Congratulations to the graduates of Class 25-1:
Danny Anderson (PFD)
Wyatt Bray (PFD)
Ryan Crouse (PFD)
Liam Finnegan (CAFMA)
Jacob Kelley (CAFMA)
Joshua Khazaal (CAFMA)
Cole Moreland (CAFMA)
Jamison Naf (PFD)
Tristan Newman (CAFMA)
Reyes Yanez Rendon (CAFMA)
Raul Rocha (CAFMA)
Ethan Shelabarger (PFD)
Michael Simonis (CAFMA)
Cody Tucker (CAFMA)
