Brevard County Fire Rescue officially welcomed 28 new firefighters and paramedics into its ranks this week after Recruit Class 26-01 completed a 10-week training program. The graduates attended a ceremony at the department’s training academy in Cocoa on Friday, where family members, friends, and department leaders praised their work. The class includes individuals from throughout Brevard County, with 12 recruits based in the north and 16 in the south.
The training covered emergency medical services, fire suppression techniques, and hazardous materials response. Recruits spent 168 hours in the classroom and 252 hours in hands-on drills, including live fire exercises and mock rescue operations. Department officials said the program prepares recruits for the physical and mental demands of frontline service before assigning them to one of the county’s 23 fire stations.
"Congratulations, Recruit Class 26-01," the department wrote in a social media post. "After 10 weeks of orientation, Brevard County Fire Rescue graduates a new class of firefighters and paramedics who are eager and ready to proudly serve our community." The post included photos of recruits in full gear, standing in formation at the academy.
The graduates will begin working in their assigned stations next week, joining a department that responds to over 30,000 calls annually. Fire Chief Michael O’Connor said the class performed above average in evaluations, with 95% passing all skill assessments on the first attempt. "They’ve shown dedication and resilience," he said. "This is just the start of their journey."
Recruits will now undergo a 12-month probationary period, during which they’ll be evaluated on their ability to handle real-world emergencies. The department plans to graduate another class in July, with applications currently open for the next cohort.