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Featured photo: Fire Academy cadets in front of a fire truck. Front Row left to right: Isaac Sizemore, Ryan Worley, Brody Hart, Calvin Lee. Back row left to right: Morgan Bryant, Parker Kanupp, Vasilios Koutris, Rodney Logan. Photo by Rich Keen.
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Fueling the fire fighting workforce of Western North Carolina, the Henderson County Fire Academy recognized eight cadets during a June 18 ceremony held in the Bo Thomas Auditorium of Blue Ridge Community College. Over four months, the cadets learned basic skills and competencies of the firefighting profession through the academy. Six graduates earned the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal certification.
To start the ceremony, Fire Academy cadets performed the Presentation of Colors, and EMS instructor Virginia Purdy led the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood then welcomed cadets and attendees, praising the graduates for their commitment to a life of service.
“Today marks the successful completion of one of the most rigorous and demanding training programs our College offers,” said Dr. Leatherwood. “Over the past several months, you have challenged yourselves physically and mentally, strengthened your ability to work as a team, and prepared to respond with courage, confidence, and precision when others need you most.”
Josh Poore, firefighter physical fitness training program designer, delivered an inspiring keynote speech that included life lessons learned after a paralyzing mountain bike accident seven years ago. In addition to thanking the firefighting community for the practical assistance received following the accident, he explained that becoming quadriplegic and working to regain mobility taught him the importance of consistency.
“Recovery wasn’t one miracle; it was thousands of small decisions. It was one day. Then another day. Then another,” Poore said. “There was no shortcut. No secret. No hack. Just consistency.”
Poore connected the lessons he learned to the process of becoming a capable firefighter.
“Nobody becomes a great firefighter because of one heroic moment. You become a great firefighter because of thousands of ordinary moments. The drills nobody sees. The workouts nobody applauds. The training evolutions you repeat over and over until they become instinct.
The willingness to prepare long before the emergency arrives,” Poore said.
Class representative Ryan Joseph Worley spoke on behalf of his classmates, sharing moments and insights gained in their time at Blue Ridge.
“One of the greatest lessons this academy taught me is that no firefighter succeeds alone. This
profession is built on teamwork or brotherhood, as many call it,” Worley said. “The person beside you is your lifeline. There may be a time when they are all that stands between you and death. Through this academy, we became more than classmates—we became a team.”
Fire and Rescue Coordinator Michael Ostrander and Fire Academy instructors Poore, Dan Padilla, and Frankie Laughter completed the presentation of awards, which were given as follows:
- 2026 Spring Fire Academy Fastest JPAT Time: Parker Kanupp
- 2026 Spring Fire Academy – The “Josh Poore” Award: Ryan Worley
- 2026 Spring Fire Academy Top Academic Cadet: Vasilios “Vas” Koutris
- 2026 Spring Fire Academy Leadership Award: Morgan Bryant
Ostrander and Laughter then led the Presentation of Ropes ceremony and awarded the cadets their certificates. Dean of Public Safety Training Chris Williams provided closing remarks to conclude the ceremony.
The annual Fire Academy is a partnership between Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Fire and Rescue Association. In addition to campus resources, area fire and rescue agencies provide equipment, personnel, and facilities that ensure students experience numerous realistic training scenarios. Upon certification, academy cadets are prepared and qualified to begin entry-level careers in fire departments statewide.
Registration is now open for the Fall 2026 Henderson County Fire Academy, which begins on August 31, 2026. Additionally, Blue Ridge offers a fire protection technology associate degree, a certificate or diploma in fire protection, as well as numerous fire and rescue certification programs. Visit www.blueridge.edu/fire to learn more, view course schedules, and enroll online.
The Spring 2026 Fire Academy graduates of Blue Ridge Community College included:
Morgan Bryant, Edneyville Fire and Rescue
Brody Hart, Skyland Fire and Rescue
Parker Kanupp, Hendersonville Fire Department
Vasilios “Vas” Koutris, Fletcher Fire and Rescue
Calvin Lee, Skyland Fire and Rescue
Rodney Thomas Logan, Valley Hill Fire and Rescue
Isaac Sizemore, Fletcher Fire and Rescue
Ryan Joseph Worley*, Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue
*Class Representative