Six Mississippi Gulf Coast Firefighters Graduate from MSFA

The Long Beach Fire Department graduated three firefighters from the class: Austin Allen, Quinten McMillan, Louis Paul. Additionally, the Gulfport Fire Department had three graduate from the prestigious MSFA class: Anthony Bermudez, Chase T. Jones, & Jaxon Screws.  Graduation was held on campus in the Auditorium at 10:00am on Thursday September 26, 2024. #1 Fire Academy USA, Jackson, MS 39208. The ceremony was open to the public.

Firefighter Class 211 will graduate twenty-eight (28) Firefighters from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I-II course.  This intense seven-week course includes online, classroom, and hands-on instruction in the areas of fire behavior, fire suppression, rescue, incident command, hazardous materials, and other fire related topics.

This course meets and exceeds the National Fire Protection Association for Firefighter Qualifications and the uniform minimum training standards stated in the Mississippi Code section 45-11-7.

Ten (10) current leaders within their departments will graduate from the MEFO Program.

This course consisted of 4 sessions throughout the year 2024, identifying issues the fire service and the communities face & how to improve them while preparing for their next step in their careers. “The men in the 2024 MEFO Program have done an exceptional job in this year-long, rigorous endeavor. They have proven themselves to be of the highest caliber fire officers,” said Class Coordinator & MSFA Deputy Director Barry Burnside.

The Mississippi State Fire Academy is a division of the Mississippi Insurance Department.  State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney and Academy Executive Director Kelly Elliott believe these firefighters will be an asset to the fire departments they represent.

“We are confident the immediate impact and positive difference these firefighters will make, not only within their departments but also in their communities, will truly be substantial.” said Director Elliott.