By Fiona de Young
Community Relations Manager
Two Rincon Valley firefighters graduated from the Pima Community College Paramedic Program last month. The graduation was celebrated on April 21st put on by Pima Community College’s Public Safety & Emergency Services Institute and held at the Tucson Convention Center.
Becoming a paramedic is the highest level of prehospital care and requires rigorous advanced training and coursework.
“We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication and are pleased to provide this quality care to our community,” said Fire Chief Jayme Kahle. “Here at the Rincon Valley Fire District, we rely on our partnership with Pima Community College to develop our team of highly qualified personnel. Education is the catalyst.”
They are two out of dozens of graduates from fire agencies all over Southern Arizona: Firefighter Danny Gonzales and Firefighter Billy Rivas.
Danny Gonzales
“This program was an invaluable experience I will never forget. Although very difficult at times, it has given me great insight and excitement as I move forward to begin utilizing these skills to better serve our community. The program was one of the most difficult things I have completed, but it was a very rewarding experience. My favorite part was transitioning to assisting my colleagues here at Rincon Valley Fire District in the ambulance. I learned so much during my time with them and it allowed me to put all of my learning into action alongside my fellow team members.”
Billy Rivas
“I’m thrilled to have completed the paramedic course with the support of my department. To be a good paramedic, you must apply the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities we learned in the course, and I look forward to being able to use this knowledge in a position of service in my community. It means a lot.”
Every year, Rincon Valley Fire District provides funding for at least two students to complete the paramedic course. This was the first in-person graduation ceremony held for paramedics since the start of the pandemic.
As always, we are available for routine safety checks such as smoke detectors and car seats. If you need help with any general safety concerns, call us at (520) 647-3760. For emergencies, dial 911.
Fiona de Young recently joined the Rincon Valley Fire District as its new Community Relations Manager. In this role, she is responsible for managing the District’s community engagement and media relations. Before joining the District, Fiona worked as an aide to U.S. Senator Martha McSally. She holds a Master’s Degree in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Fiona loves hiking in the beautiful mountains of Southern Arizona.
