Events
Fire Academy Graduates Ready to Serve
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 29, 2026) – Twenty-two new firefighters are prepared to answer the call after graduating from the Career-in-a-Year Fire Academy, a partnership between Wake Tech and Wake County.
Family members, friends and colleagues gathered at Wake Tech's Scott Northern Wake Campus on Wednesday evenong to celebrate the graduates as they received their firefighter badges, certificates and awards. All 22 graduates have secured positions with area departments, including Northern Wake, Apex, Wendell, Fairview and Hopkins.
"The choice you made to become a firefighter is one we honor here tonight," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Thank you for your commitment to serving our communities. In this profession, you will never have to wonder whether your work makes a difference. Every day, you will have the opportunity to change lives and serve others when they need it most."
"We are extremely proud of the hard-working men and women of this academy and all they have accomplished," said Darrell Alford, director of Wake County Fire Services and Emergency Management. "These are some of the best and brightest, and they will now go on to serve our growing community at a critical time when the need for public safety services continues to increase. We are grateful for our valuable partnership with Wake Tech, which makes this exceptional academy program possible year after year."
Matthew Ward, who will begin his career as a firefighter with the Town of Apex, encouraged his fellow graduates to carry the lessons of the academy with them as they begin serving their communities.
"Our instructors provided us with the knowledge and skills to serve when the call comes," Ward said. "As the shifts get longer and the challenges grow, let's remember the 186 days of training that prepared us for this work and the responsibility that comes with it."
The Career-in-a-Year program is open to individuals who want to pursue a career in fire service, whether they have previous volunteer experience or are entering the profession for the first time. Recruits selected for the program earn a full salary and benefits while training to become certified firefighters.
The intensive 38-week academy includes certifications in firefighter, hazardous materials, incident command system, rapid intervention and technical rescue. Graduates also earn basic EMT certification.
The next Career-in-a-Year Fire Academy begins in January.
Learn more about Fire Services at Wake Tech.
