Maricopa Fire/Medical Welcomes Seven Fire Academy Graduates

Published on December 14, 2023

From running live fire drills and scaling multi-story buildings to learning the physics and chemistry behind the flames, Maricopa Fire/Medical Department’s newest recruits have been put to the test and have come out on top. The seven individuals are now graduates of the Mesa Regional Fire Academy.  

The graduates will now spend the next year as probationary firefighters, learning the dynamics of the department and our community.  

“As these seven graduates transition from the fire academy to the field, we applaud their commitment to bravery and teamwork,” said Maricopa Fire/Medica Chief Brad Pitassi. “May their efforts in safeguarding lives illuminate a path to a safer and brighter future for the City of Maricopa. 

Keep reading to hear from the graduates in their own words about their academy experiences and what they say they are looking forward to as they serve the City of Maricopa.  

Alberto Arriola:  

The intense physical workouts and drills tested my limits, pushing me to overcome self-doubt and build the strength needed to perform the duties of a firefighter. 

My motivation for becoming a firefighter is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. Witnessing my immigrant parents' sacrifices and hard work as they pursued the American dream serves as a constant reminder of the value of perseverance. I am proud to be a part of something much bigger than myself, representing my family name and the City of Maricopa Fire and Medical Department. 

I want to express my deep gratitude to my fiancé, family, friends, fellow recruits, mentors, recruit training officers, and The City of Maricopa Fire and Medical Department for granting me this life-changing opportunity. The other Maricopa Fire and Medical Department members have been exceptionally welcoming and provided continuous encouragement. I feel truly fortunate to have completed the academy alongside the other six Maricopa Recruits, my "Copa Compas." Thank you! 

Ronal Navarro:

The biggest challenge I had to overcome during the academy was working through the tiredness day in and day out. Most days were challenging to wake up before the sun rose due to being sore, tired, and beaten in general from the day before. 

I wanted to become a firefighter and a good role model for my family. It would not look good for me if I were complaining all the time or always talking about quitting or even giving up on the academy, so I always tried to see the end goal and tell myself that this pain was only temporary and it would be worth it in the end. 

I would like to thank my family and friends. They have been a huge support for me during this whole journey, and I would not have been able to do any of this process without them, from going to EMT school to graduating from the academy. Also, the firefighters have helped me along the way. I had no knowledge about the firefighter culture, and for them to take me under their arm and teach me about the firefighter life meant the world to me, and I would be lost without them. 

Erik Reid: 

The biggest challenge I had to overcome was constantly being sore and tired but still showing up every day and putting out my best effort.  

My motivation to keep pushing forward was my family. Anytime it got hard, I just thought of them. Now that we are done with the academy, I am looking forward to becoming a valuable asset to the department and helping it grow in the coming years.  

I would like to thank my dad for being so supportive and helping me out through this journey.   

Justin Brush:   

I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter; most kids dream of that. I had the privilege of my father being a cop and firefighter when I was young. Seeing the best of both worlds as I grew up, I wondered if it was even possible for me to achieve both careers and follow in my father’s footsteps. I was blessed and made it happen with a lot of hard work. 

I honestly want to thank my wife; she put up with all of me: happy, sad, mad, and so on. In addition, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the academy without these awesome gentlemen in my corner rooting and coaching me along! 

Marcos Figueroa: 

The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome in the academy is managing time with the academy and my personal life. From waking up at 4 am to being home at 5:30 pm, after showering, eating dinner, and reading my book, it was almost always time to sleep. I took advantage of the days off. Spending time with loved ones was always refreshing. 

I was also extremely driven by trying to make my family proud. When that last name, “Figueroa,” goes on my back, I’m not just representing myself but every Figueroa who came to put me in the position I am today. Family doesn’t just involve “Figueroa” either. On the back of my shirt was also “City of Maricopa.” I also knew I needed to make my family in the City of Maricopa proud. 

First and foremost, I can thank my Tata and my parents for planting the seed of becoming a firefighter since I was a kid. I can also thank my fiancé Skylar for being my #1 fan through everything. I could write a long list of people I can thank. I wasn’t alone with this at all; so much help and guidance was given to me, and I’m eternally thankful for it all. 

Carter Rash:

Focusing on completing one thing at a time kept me positive throughout the academy. As long as I could make it to our next scheduled event for the day and then eventually home, I knew I was in a good spot. 

I am most excited to have the opportunity to mentor people interested in the fire service and be an example for others. I still have so much more to learn about and grow, but I have finally reached the spot where I can begin to influence and mentor others. I also have two little brothers, and being an inspiration and example for them is very important to me. 

I would like to thank my family for supporting me through school, the testing process, and the academy, especially my mom, who talked me through difficult things and picked up some slack for me while I was so busy. I'd also like to thank my beautiful girlfriend Sydney, who, even from so far away, has been so patient and supportive of me during this long process. Finally, I would like to thank the long list of firefighters who believed in me and supported me from the beginning, including my six academy brothers, who have become like family to me.  

Billy Seitz:

My biggest motivation for becoming a firefighter was my father figure. Since he is a firefighter and has had a huge impact on my life, I wanted to be able to follow in his footsteps. What kept me positive was knowing I would be able to provide my future family the childhood and life I wasn’t able to have due to our circumstances. 

I would like to thank my family and girlfriend for supporting me during the testing process and through the academy. I would also like to thank all my mentors who took time out of their lives to help and prepare me for the opportunity of a lifetime. 

To learn more about careers with the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department, visit www.maricopa-az.gov/MFMDCareers.