The Indian River State College Fire Academy honored its newest class of firefighter recruits this week during a ceremony filled with tradition, pride, and reflection at the Public Safety Education Campus.

The event opened with a lively procession of bagpipes and drums led by the Fire Service Honor Guard who marched the colors to the stage, setting a formal tone as family members, friends, faculty, and first responders gathered to celebrate the recruits’ achievement. Fire Academy Department Chair Mark Shaw welcomed attendees and recognized the hard work and determination that carried the class to graduation.

Louis Caprino, Dean of Treasure Coast Public Safety Education, delivered the keynote address. He spoke of the essential role firefighters play in protecting the community and emphasized the importance of teamwork and trust—qualities the graduates developed throughout their rigorous training. Caprino also introduced the Glenn Burkett Scholarship which was delivered to a student that went above and beyond in showcasing a firefighter's moral code.

Instructors and fire service professionals offered remarks throughout the ceremony, reflecting on the class’s growth and commending the recruits for their resilience and commitment. Graduate Zachary Altamuro delivered the Firefighter’s Prayer and shared a message of gratitude on behalf of his classmates.

As part of the program, graduates received traditional firefighter challenge coins, a symbolic gesture recognizing their entry into the profession and the shared bond they now carry forward. Each recruit was then called individually to the stage to receive a diploma marking the completion of their Firefighter I and II training.

The ceremony concluded with a student-produced video highlighting the class’s journey—from early drills to advanced live-fire exercises—capturing the teamwork and determination that defined their time in the academy.

With their training complete, the graduates will now move forward into fire departments across the region, ready to serve their communities and uphold the values of the fire service.