Firefighter Recruit Class Graduates Academy Friday, Nov. 6

Bell Buckle, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Deputy Commissioner Gary L. West and Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Chief Mark Foulks will address the recruit firefighter class graduating at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2015 from the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA).

Located on 330 acres in northern Bedford County, TFACA is a state-of-the-art training facility that has served as a “home away from home” for the recruits during their 10 weeks of classes. Comprised of 15 students from eight fire departments across the state, the class also contains three “open enrollee” students who are not presently affiliated with a fire department but are planning a career fire service/emergency field.

This graduating class will be the 38th class to complete the Recruit Firefighter class since the facility opened at the Bedford County location in 2001.  The recruits Ethridge Fire & Rescue, Gallatin Fire Department, Humbolt Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department, Lenoir City Fire Department, Martin Fire Department, Number One Volunteer Fire Dept., and Southeast Volunteer Fire Dept.

This class is a blended learning curriculum requiring classroom presentations, homework via online learning and hands-on skill-building. The instructors monitor their homework progress using the E-Learning system and answer questions using a “chat-room” during specific times each day.

TFACA offers a unique dual curriculum. The Academy provides more than 500 courses annually to fire departments, codes professionals and other emergency response agencies throughout the state. This premier facility prepares first responders using ‘live’ simulations that presents recruits with situations they will commonly face as firefighters.  

Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce  Chief Executive Officer Allen Pitner will make a presentation of a ”Challenge Coin” to each of the graduating students.  The Chamber supported the creation of the coin and helped with its design.  The coin is a show of support for the Academy.  The coin is red, white and blue and contains the “Three Stars” symbol from the Tennessee State Flag and the logo of the Academy in raised gold letters.

For more information about the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy, visit http://tn.gov/commerce/sfm/tfaca/index.shtml call toll free 1-800-747-8868 or 931-294-4111.

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