Two Southaven firefighters among Mississippi State Fire Academy graduates
JACKSON, Miss. — Two Southaven firefighters are among the 27 new graduates of the Mississippi State Fire Academy’s Firefighter Class 217. Kobe Barnes and Johnathan Newton completed the intensive seven-week National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I-II course, which prepares recruits for front-line service.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Fire Academy Auditorium in Jackson. The event is open to the public.
The course combined classroom learning, online modules, and hands-on training in fire behavior, suppression, rescue, hazardous materials, and incident command. It meets and exceeds national standards for firefighter qualifications and Mississippi’s minimum training requirements under state law.
Mississippi State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney and Fire Academy Executive Director Kelly Elliott praised the graduates’ commitment.
“We are confident the immediate impact and positive difference these firefighters will make, not only within their departments but also in their communities, will truly be substantial,” Elliott said.
The Mississippi State Fire Academy operates under the Mississippi Insurance Department and is recognized as one of the nation’s top firefighter training programs.
