“Battalica 156” Graduates Allan Hancock College’s Fire Academy
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) - Officials at Allan Hancock College say ’tis the season for public safety graduations.
Battalion 156 graduated from the program’s Firefighter Academy on Thursday.
This year’s graduating class at Allan Hancock College’s Public Safety Training Firefighter Academy gave themselves the nickname “Battalica 156,” because they’re the first class to have used new resources courtesy of the rock band Metallica.
“Every year our cadets keep raising the bar,” says Leonard Champion, AHC Fire Academy Coordinator. “And to watch them come in at day one of a 17 and a half week academy and see that progression of growth, the maturity, the discipline, physically, mentally. It is incredible to watch.”
The world-famous band’s “All Within My Hands” foundation donated $75,000 to the fire academy for new personal protection equipment, tools, books, and materials.
“Yes, like there was a need or a reason to have to listen to more Metallica,” says Champion. “Very well known. Everybody understands their music, has heard their music over decades. So pretty impressive.”
Some of the graduating cadets say they now appreciate the band for more than their music.
“100%, I already love Metallica,” says Ryder Hart, Battalion 156 Class President. “When the chief told us that Metallica was sponsoring us, it was kind of like a little mind blowing thing. It definitely got people to start listening to it.”
Anyone interested in signing up for Hancock’s Public Safety Training programs can visit the school’s website.
“This has been like the greatest experience of my life doing this and I would do it hundred times over again,” says Hart.
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