Three Long Beach Fire Department Recruits Answer the Call

The Gazebo Gazette

PEARL (GG) — Three recruits from the Long Beach Fire Department are members of the Firefighter Class 217 of the Mississippi State Fire Academy that will make a difference, and graduated from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I-II course held at the Mississippi State Fire Academy in Jackson, Mississippi.

Dylan Kippes, Samuel Starita, and William Wright of the Long Beach Fire Department finished this coursework.  As Long Beach Fire Chief Griff Skellie expressed, each will use this training throughout their careers.

“We are very proud of these three men,” said Skellie at the conclusion of the event.  “Look forward to watching them succeed in their careers.”

Graduation was held on campus in the Auditorium Thursday, October 2, 2025. #1 Fire Academy USA, Jackson, Mississippi.  The ceremony will be open to the public.

This intense seven-week course combines 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.

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.