MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College (Mohave College beginning August 2025) Fire Science Program spring 2025 cohort has passed all of their exams to become certified firefighters on their first attempt. Nine students completed the program with all of them passing their exams including firefighter 1 and 2, hazmat awareness and hazmat operations.
“We’re incredibly proud of class 25-2 for achieving a 100% pass rate, a milestone we haven’t seen in many years,” said Daniel Zandvliet, Fire Science programs manager. “Their dedication, discipline and commitment to excellence have paid off with seven of them already securing full-time positions and actively responding to emergencies, they’re already making a real impact. This class should be proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Graduates were also able to secure positions as full-time firefighters shortly after completing their program. Seven students are now full-time firefighters, and one as a reserved firefighter. Graduates were hired at Fort Mojave Mesa Fire Department, Hualapai Tribe Fire Department, Mohave Valley Fire Department and Bullhead City Fire Department.
This year’s 40-hour fire academy pilot program, the first of its kind at the college, not only graduated its inaugural class but also set new standards for excellence in firefighter training. The academy allows students to go through the program in 8 weeks compared to the traditional 16-week semester.
Zandvliet said local fire departments have enjoyed the shorter time frames for the academy, allowing them to hire the graduates quicker.
For the first time ever, the college successfully operated two concurrent fire academy sessions. This expansion required the addition of two new instructors, both of whom brought fresh expertise and enthusiasm in their first teaching roles with the college.
The fire science program partnered with the college’s welding program in a collaborative effort that enriched both areas of study. Over the past several months, welding students designed and built two training props now being used by fire science students. These custom-built tools will play a vital role in upcoming academies by helping students practice essential life-saving techniques such as self-rescue and forced entry.
One of the props allows students to learn how to cut bolts on doors and security windows to gain access to buildings. The second prop created demonstrates to students how a firefighter can self-rescue from a room between wall studs. This partnership demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in delivering hands-on, career-focused education that prepares students for success in the field.
Those wanting to join the Fire Science program, the application is now open and closes Sept. 8. For more information about the Fire Science program and to fill out the application, visit Mohave.edu/FireScience.
To learn more about becoming a student, visit Mohave.edu/Admission. Fill out the online form to create a student account, and a College representative will be in touch to assist with the application, tuition assistance and enrollment process. The fall semester is just around the corner with classes beginning Aug. 18.
Fire Science program graduates passed all of their exams to become certified firefighters on their first attempt. Those wanting to join the Fire Science program, the application is now open and closes Sept. 8.