The Gazebo Gazette

PEARL (GG) —  Firefighter Garett Babin of the Pass Christian Fire Department is making a difference and has graduated from Class 223 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1010 Firefighter I-II course held at the Mississippi State Fire Academy in Jackson, MS.  Twenty-nine (29) members graduated from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1010 Firefighter I-II course held at the Mississippi State Fire Academy in Jackson, MS.  Graduation was held on campus in the Auditorium on Thursday, October 1, 2026.  The ceremony was open to the public.

This intense seven-week course combined 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.
Additionally, the Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA), along with the Mississippi Firefighters Association (MFFA) and the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA), will honor those who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.  The Fallen Firefighter Memorial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the MSFA campus at #1 Fire Academy USA, Jackson.  The MSFA sits on 112 acres, and on those grounds stands a memorial with 126 names, dating back to 1885.
“In their memory, we gather, reminding us that he made the difference for others when it mattered the most,” said Kelly Elliott, MSFA Executive Director.
The Memorial stands as a reminder of how serious fire safety is. Firefighters, friends, and family from across the state attend this annual event to honor and reflect on the commitment to service that these firefighters gave to their communities and to the people they served.