MONROE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE GRADUATES SIXTH ‘HOT SHOTS’ CLASS; 18 ARE RESIDENTS

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Fire Rescue graduated its sixth “Hot Shots” class on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Class 23-01 includes 22 qualified men and women on their way to becoming career or volunteer firefighters. The graduates successfully completed 456 hours of intensive classroom and rigorous practical training over the past 3.5 months.
 
Eighteen of the students are residents of Monroe County. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners continues to support the program that waives the $2,200 tuition fee for qualified Monroe County residents in exchange for a commitment to volunteer or work as a career firefighter anywhere in the Florida Keys for three years.
 
“We are excited to see these students graduate from our Monroe County Fire Academy Hot Shots Program and look forward to them serving in the Florida Keys community in the future,” said Deputy Fire Chief RL Colina.
 
The graduates completed the 17 performance objectives of the firefighter program and are prepared to take the State of Florida Firefighter II examination. To be hired at Monroe County Fire Rescue, a candidate must also complete EMT training.
 
Graduates include Jesus Acosta, Nathan Acosta, Brent Bishop, Dylan Boyd, Connor Burden, Jonathan Diaz, Isaac Duran, Neovaldys Duran, Mikaelle Fundora, Gavin Gonzalez, Fernando Kreitz, Mackenzie Laak, Yosvany Lorenzo, Cole McDaniel, Demetrius Miller, Paul Packert, Victor Pugliese, Ryan Ramos, Chad Rodriguez, Josiah Sisco, Richard Traybsza and Michael Venezia.
 
There are no new classes scheduled at this time at the training academy. More information about the “Hot Shots” program can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/hotshots or email [email protected].