During a recent meeting, Alpha Fire Company members honored graduates of the department's spring engine and rescue academies on May 5.

According to officials, ten members finished the rescue academy and obtained their blue rescue company passport, while nine members finished the engine academy and were awarded their "black hat." Practical instruction in fire assault operations, technical rescue techniques, search strategies, and realistic emergency scenarios were all part of the semester-long curriculum.

Members of the rescue academy completed a vehicle rescue technician course, and the engine academy recently ended live burn training. According to department officials, the academy system gives firefighters the operational training and real-world experience they need before working on rescue, truck, and engine equipment.