Monroe County Graduated New Class of ‘Hot Shots’ From 4th Training Program

GRASSY KEY, FL – The Monroe County Fire Rescue Fire Academy celebrated 25 new graduates in mid-December. The new graduates successfully completed the fourth “Hot Shots” Minimum Standards training program at the County-owned Joe London Fire Training Academy on Grassy Key. Since September, the graduates had more than 500 hours of intensive classroom and practical training and completed the program’s 17 performance objectives, allowing them to register for the State of Florida Firefighter I and II examination.

Of the graduates, 23 were qualified residents who had their $2,200 tuition fee waived as part of the “Hot Shots” program – a program approved and funded by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners – in exchange for a three-year commitment to work or volunteer as a firefighter anywhere in the Florida Keys.

“I challenge you to be the ones who lead the charge for change and change for better and leave the fire service a better place than it was before you got there,” said Charlie Mather, Monroe County Fire Rescue Training Chief.

The previous three “Hot Shots” programs graduated 83 students, many of who are now employed or volunteer in fire stations throughout the Florida Keys. To be hired at Monroe County Fire Rescue, a candidate must also complete EMT training. More information about Monroe County Fire Academy and the “Hot Shots” program can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/hotshots. A fifth “Hot Shots” program is scheduled to start in August 2022.

Congratulations to the graduates: Blake Arencibia, Liz Jacoby, Brandon Beard, Patrick Koutros, Diego Bejerano,  Alan Malby, Brent Bishop, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Brandon Colina, Nicholas Roman, Shain Cormack, Kritzia Sallano, Jordan Dewhirst, Curry Sargent, Krysten Echo, Samantha Seco, Jim Faktor, Mark Sellers, Cesar Fernandez, Ryland Sifford, Honzik Frystacky, Terrance Smith, Robert Givens, Nickolas Suarez, and Matthew Hill.