Ohio Fire Academy Celebrates Newest Class of EMT Graduates

Seventeen new emergency medical technicians are stepping into first responder roles across Ohio and Indiana following a graduation ceremony at the Ohio Fire Academy campus in Reynoldsburg. The milestone marks the fourth EMT class to complete the program through the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal this year.

Rigorous Training Meets Regional Demand

The graduates successfully wrapped up a demanding seven-week, 166-hour training program designed to test both physical endurance and technical comprehension. According to com.ohio.gov, this latest cohort brings the academy’s total EMT output for 2026 to 75 individuals.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon noted the exceptional perseverance shown by the cohort. “The skills they’ve developed speak to their unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting the people in the communities they serve,” Reardon said. A complete roster of the graduates and their hometowns is available via the official OFA EMT October 2026 Graduation Document.

For students stepping into the field, the fast-paced curriculum provided an immediate bridge to real-world operations. Anthony Bontempo of Tallmadge, Ohio, pointed to the practical nature of the instruction. “The training we all received was excellent,” Bontempo said, adding that he plans to pursue a fire certification at the academy next. Similarly, Jerry Napier of Lima, Ohio, emphasized how working through practical scenarios prepared him for his upcoming career as a paramedic.

Comparing Winter and Autumn Cohorts

While the October ceremony capped off the academy’s fourth class of the year, training schedules at the Reynoldsburg facility have maintained a steady cadence. Earlier in the year, The Highland County Press reported on a separate graduation where 19 students completed a six-week, 166-hour iteration of the same program. That winter cohort included 17 students from Ohio and two from neighboring Indiana.

Participants often cycle through multiple disciplines at the facility. Kasey Swank of Butler, Ohio, completed the EMT coursework after previously graduating from the academy’s Firefighter Class 239 in November 2024. Instructors maintained the accelerated pacing while ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential medical protocols.

The continuous pipeline of qualified personnel helps shore up emergency services across municipalities facing ongoing staffing pressures. With 75 graduates certified through four classes in 2026 alone, the Ohio Fire Academy continues to supply local departments with vetted frontline workers ready to deploy.