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Baker College students achieve 100% pass rate at Fire Academy

JACKSON, Mich. – Baker College of Jackson has reported a 100 percent pass rate for its students who completed the rigorous Fire Academy certification program this year. The students, who were concurrently enrolled in Baker‘s associate degree fire science program, also passed the State of Michigan exams to become certified fire fighters.

The students are Jacob Ellis, of Spring Arbor, Erin Bigelow, of Jerome, and Conner Erhardt and Corey Slone, of Jackson. Bigelow is an on-call firefighter for the Moscow Township Fire Department.

"We congratulate these students for taking a major step forward in their careers," said Patricia A. Kaufman, Ed.D., Baker College of Jackson president. “We also commend them for seeking additional education in the fire science field at Baker College that will benefit them in today's highly competitive job market and provide the credentials often necessary for leadership opportunities.”

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To pass the 20-week Fire Academy, participants must successfully complete written and practical exams for four certifications—medical first responder, driving, hazmat operations and fire fighter I and II. This qualifies them to take the written and practical exams to become certified fire fighters with the State of Michigan.

The Baker College of Jackson fire science program was launched in 2012. In its first two years, Baker College students who enrolled in the Fire Academy have passed 36 of 38 certification exams, resulting in a 95 percent certification pass rate.

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The associate and bachelor’s degree options within the Baker College fire science program offer educational background for employment and credentials for advancement in the fire science area.

The associate program provides instruction in fire prevention methods, fire behavior, fire protection systems, principles of emergency services and a broad range of criminal justice theories and practices. It is compliant with the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) standards established by the National Fire Academy.

Baker’s bachelor’s fire science program prepares students for leadership positions within the fire fighting and/or public safety industry, and includes issues associated with fire safety, fire prevention, and principles of emergency services, as well as topics related to the criminal justice field.

The Fire Academy is sanctioned by the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council (MFFTC), the firefighter certification agency for the State of Michigan, and, in Jackson County, is spearheaded by the Jackson County Fire Chiefs Association.

For more information about Baker College of Jackson’s fire science associate and bachelor’s degree programs, contact Kevin Pnacek at kevin.pnacek@baker.edu or the admissions office at 517.788.7800.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.

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