From press and staff reports
An Attala County firefighter is among the newest group of trained first responders after completing an intensive certification program through the Mississippi State Fire Academy.
Travis L. Lewis of Attala County Fire and Rescue graduated Feb. 19 as part of Firefighter Class 219, which included 26 recruits from departments across the state. The ceremony was held at the academy’s campus in Jackson and was open to the public.
The seven-week National Fire Protection Association Firefighter I-II course combined online instruction, classroom training and hands-on exercises covering fire behavior, suppression, rescue operations, incident command and hazardous materials response. The program meets and exceeds national firefighter qualification standards as well as Mississippi’s minimum training requirements.
Officials with the academy said graduates are expected to make an immediate impact within their departments and communities.
“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,” Executive Director Kelly Elliott said in a statement.
Lewis joins firefighters representing departments from across Mississippi, reflecting the statewide collaboration involved in emergency response training. The graduation program highlights the NFPA Firefighter I-II certification and recognizes the class’s completion of rigorous academic and practical instruction.
For Attala County residents, the graduation strengthens local emergency preparedness by adding a firefighter trained in modern response techniques and safety standards.
The Mississippi State Fire Academy operates as a division of the Mississippi Insurance Department and provides standardized training for fire service personnel statewide.
