Eighteen firefighters recently graduated from the Tidewater Regional Fire Academy. There were 15 new Firefighter/EMT's from the Newport News Fire Department and three new Firefighter/EMT's from the Williamsburg Fire Department.

The very intense training academy began in February of this year and included 620 hours of training that covered topics such as Search and Rescue, Fire Hose operations, Water Supply, Ventilation, Ground Ladders, Vehicle Extrication, Fire and Life Safety Public Education, Communicating with Children, Mayday Firefighter down, Fire Extinguishers and Rope Rescue. These graduates have also completed the Emergency Medical Technician Basic course and will be attending the Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate course beginning this August. They will be assigned to fire stations during the summer to receive real practical experience in emergency medical care and firefighting.