On the evening of May 12, 2026, with the fire season well underway, 42 graduates of Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC) fire science program earned their firefighting certifications. These men and women are now ready to hit the fire lines and assist with emergency incidents throughout the region.
Family, friends, NPC administration, instructors, and staff gathered to celebrate the new firefighters who completed the demanding program through the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) and NPC’s Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 fire science academies. The ceremony kicked off with the Presentation of Colors by Timber Mesa Fire and Medical Pipes and Drums.
Battalion Chief Shaun Holm of the Heber-Overgaard Fire District addressed the students. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and family support, expressed gratitude to the recruits’ families, and acknowledged the contributions of the fire academy staff.
He said, “A career in fire service is indeed a journey,” he said. “The lessons learned, relationships forged, and foundation built on that training will shape your career. Long, tiring nights and endless days, exhaustion, tears, pain and frustration. You gave everything on the training ground to be here tonight.”
Holm told the graduates, “The greatest treasure in the fire service is trust. As you embark on your journey in the fire service, the responsibility to safeguard and protect this trust will become yours.” He said, “This responsibility will be both the greatest honor and privilege you carry throughout your career. Those we serve trust that in their worst moments, you will bring the very best skill, knowledge, strength, effort, and most importantly, heart.” As firefighters, he explained, “We protect this trust and fulfill our commitment by what we do every day, in or out of uniform.” In closing, Holm said, “The journey you are starting is one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have. I know it has been for me. Congratulations and good luck. We'll see you out there.”
NPC would like to thank all the Fire Departments, Districts and others that support the fire science academy and the firefighters who complete the training program.
FALL 2025-02 Academy
Instructors: Bill Solomon, Lewis Noble & Shaun Holm
- Alexander Anderson
- Jacie Black
- Tyler Brun
- Malakai Burnette
- Katie Ciminski
- Jason Gilmore
- Luiz Razcon Gonzales
- Enriquez Hernandez
- Juila Holan
- Malachai Kessay
- Travis Kuppens
- Lindon Ray
- Serenity Smith
- Ian Wauer
- Ethan Wauer
- Ethan Wiltbank
- Jared Wittman
SPRING 2026-01 Academy
Instructors: Bill Solomon, Lewis Noble & Shaun Holm
- Jacob Allen
- Jayden Athey
- Elia Butterfly
- Keegan Clark
- Ryan Cook
- Laura D’Aniello
- Eric De La Garza
- Colby Garvin
- Gabriel Iguado
- Kayleen Keith
- Ryan Kishbaugh
- Daniel Martucci
- Jay Massey-Heyl
- Thomas Mills
- Logan Ohmsatte
- Fischer Pelto
SPRING 2026-02 NAVIT Academy
Instructor: Bill Solomon
- Logan Atchley
- Travis Bia
- Kare Brock
- John Calderon
- Penelope Candia
- Kody Henderson
- Japeth Henry
- Ammon Jessop
- Daycee Rencher
