In a ceremony marked by pride, accomplishment, and the bright promise of future heroes, the Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4 (LPFPD4) celebrated the graduation of its 2025 class of high school seniors from the district’s innovative Fire Educational Training program.
From Classroom to Front Lines
The graduation ceremony on May 5, 2025 honored four dedicated students who successfully completed the rigorous program—two young men from Denham Springs High School (Brayden Duncan and Robby Vavasseur) and two young women from Doyle High School (Kloie Wheat) and Walker High School (Tamara Fonseca) This year’s class holds the distinction of being the first class where all graduates obtained all four certifications prior to their high school graduation—a remarkable achievement that sets a new standard for the program.
Throughout their senior year, these dedicated students balanced their regular academic responsibilities with intensive fire service training, demonstrating remarkable commitment and perseverance.
Graduates received certifications in Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, Firefighter 1, and Firefighter 2—credentials that qualify them to immediately enter the fire service workforce upon high school graduation.
A Legacy of Leadership
What began in August 2022 as a local initiative to train Livingston Parish high school seniors interested in firefighting careers has now blossomed into a statewide model. Now in its third year, this program—the first of its kind in Louisiana—represents a crucial step in addressing the critical shortage of firefighters that has affected departments across the nation, including our own District 4, which has seen volunteer membership decrease by more than fifty percent over the past decade.
“These graduates aren’t just completing a program—they’re making history and helping secure the future of fire protection services in our communities,” said Fire Chief James Wascom. “They represent hope for our department and for fire services throughout Louisiana.”
A Growing Program
The success of LPFPD4’s program continues to build momentum. With the 2025 class being the smallest yet at just four students (compared to five in 2023 and nine in 2024), the future looks exceptionally bright with ten students already confirmed for the 2026 program and three more in the application process.
Representatives from several participating departments and school districts attended the graduation, underscoring the program’s growing significance as a pipeline for developing the next generation of emergency responders throughout Louisiana.
“This program exemplifies the power of collaboration between educational institutions and emergency services,” said Keesler Fly, Chief of Training. “These students are walking out of high school with professional certifications that typically require months of post-secondary training. That’s an extraordinary advantage as they begin their careers.”
Looking Ahead
As this year’s class transitions from students to certified firefighters, LPFPD4 is already preparing for what appears to be the largest cohort yet in 2026. With ten students confirmed and three more in the application process, the program is poised for continued growth and impact.
“What began as a solution to a local challenge has evolved into a statewide opportunity,” said Deputy Chief Trey Jackson. “We’re building a sustainable pipeline of well-trained, highly motivated firefighters who understand the importance of service and community, and this year’s graduates have set a new standard of excellence by completing all certifications before graduation day.”
Livingston Parish students interested in learning more about the Fire Training Program should speak directly to their school’s Guidance Counselor for information about enrollment in the next cohort.
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