MONROE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE WELCOMES FIRE ACADEMY CLASS 26-01 TO THE JOE LONDON FIRE ACADEMY

GRASSY KEY, FL – Last Monday, Monroe County Fire Rescue welcomed class 26-01 to the Joe London Fire Academy on Grassy Key. Class 26-01 has 29 qualified trainees out of 90 applicants, marking the beginning of their process to become certified Florida State firefighters.

“I am excited for the newest minimum standards training class who will be learning from our dedicated training staff,” said Monroe County Fire Chief RL Colina. “We look forward to preparing these candidates over the next few months to build a foundation for them to become the future firefighters who will serve our communities with skill and dedication.”

Students who complete the 17 performance objectives of the firefighter program are prepared to take the State of Florida Firefighter II examination. The fire academy includes 398 hours of rigorous daily physical training and classwork, equipping participants with the skills and discipline necessary to protect the community and uphold a commitment to public safety.

The trainees will conclude the program on July 24, 2026. With 90 applicants and a growing interest in the program, Monroe County Fire Rescue will host another fire academy in October. This is the first year two academies will be held in one year. For more information about future programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/fireacademy or email [email protected].