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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s (SFM’s) Ohio Fire Academy celebrates its first firefighter class of 2025. The 36 individuals who make up Firefighter Class 240 were recognized at a graduation ceremony this morning at SFM’s campus in Reynoldsburg. The graduates represent communities across Ohio and Indiana. To view a complete list of graduates and their hometowns, click here.
This graduating class successfully completed the academically and physically rigorous 10-week, 468-hour program. The extensive firefighter training program is the only program in the state where students can earn eight additional certifications in addition to their Firefighter I & II state certifications. The graduates are now equipped with the qualifications they need to join the fire service.
In addition to basic firefighter skills, students learn essential job functions including professionalism, leadership, teamwork, honor, firefighter safety, emergency vehicle operation, and apparatus pumping.
“We commend these graduates for their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to completing this challenging and intensive training,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “The knowledge and skills they’ve gained at the Ohio Fire Academy will empower them to serve their communities and make a lasting difference in countless lives.”
After graduating today, firefighter Matthew Limburg will return to the Coshocton Fire Department, where he will serve the community. He encourages anyone thinking about joining the fire service to go for it.
“This training was very physical and great team building,” Limburg said. “The experience was great. Anyone looking for a place to fit in and be dedicated to something, this is the place to go. It helps build that teamwork, and you really are a part of a family.”
Brianna McCoy, of Grove City, also graduated with Firefighter Class 240. Just last year, she graduated from the Ohio Fire Academy’s EMT class.
“This is a job where you meet people where their needs are and sometimes, they’re going to be at the lowest point of their life and you have to be there to help them and encourage them,” she said. “This job is all about loving your community and the people you get to serve.”
McCoy will now be looking to join a department and is confident that the skills she learned during her time with the Ohio Fire Academy will lead to success in serving the community.
“The level of training and experience I have gained here is phenomenal,” McCoy said. “Whatever department I get on, I know the skills I have learned here are going to benefit me very well.”
The graduation ceremony was livestreamed on the State Fire Marshal’s Facebook page and is available here. Photos of the ceremony are attached.
Those interested in learning more about the courses offered by the Ohio Fire Academy can view a full course catalog here.
Name City State
Applebee, Sean Kingsville Ohio
Barrett, Evan Continental Ohio
Berger, Joshua Richmond Ind.
Burch, Ethan Ashville Ohio
Coulter, Nathan Lima Ohio
Danals, Tylor Ontario Ohio
Day, Bryce Willowick Ohio
Doyle, Elijah Granville Ohio
Engle, Landon Celina Ohio
Griffith, Owen Groveport Ohio
Hamilton, Rodney Portsmouth Ohio
Hebaichi, Ferras Maumee Ohio
Ice, Ethan Marion Ohio
Jackson, Mark Sunbury Ohio
Karasarides, Aris Powell Ohio
Klein, Joshua Liberty Ohio
Lamb, Jacob Pleasant City Ohio
Leonard, Jacob Fostoria Ohio
Limburg, Matthew Coshocton Ohio
McCoy, Brianna Grove City Ohio
McCrady, Travis Ravenna Ohio
Mullins, Luke Grove City Ohio
Osborne, Jakob St. Marys Ohio
Rodriguez, Myles Bowling Green Ohio
Rookard, Jacob Lancaster Ohio
Ross, Tyler Celina Ohio
Schumm, Adam Willshire Ohio
Schuyler, Brian Greenfield Ind.
Shaw, Elijah Van Wert Ohio
Shreffler, Nicholas Canal Winchester Ohio
Snyder, William Pleasantville Ohio
Soucek, Cheyenne West Salem Ohio
Tobias, Caleb Millbury Ohio
Trombley, Braedan Etna Ohio
Williams, Joey Commercial Point Ohio
Winstel, Brayden Pickerington Ohio