Alumni

Cadet and Alumni Testimonials

Arcadia Fire Fighter Timothy Van Stralen:

FF-VanStralen Class XXII graduate Tim Van Stralen being sworn in as the newest member of the City of Arcadia Fire Department.

He graduated Class XXII from the Verdugo Fire Academy.

Strong work Firefighter Van Stralen. Keep a positive attitude and good work ethic as you did during the VFA, and you will not have a problem with probation.

The City of Arcadia has a strong firefighter in hiring Tim Van Stralen.

VFA Graduate Timothy Van Stralen:

VanStralen Former Cadet Van Stralen from Class XXII explains why he picked Verdugo Fire Academy, over the other academies offered in the Southern California area around Los Angeles.

First he said it was the amount of hours of training, over 900 which is beneficial to hands on learning and retaining information.

He liked the Diverse instructors from many of the Area C departments which gives varying insights and experience in the many fields.

The Verdugo Fire Academy has many advantages over a traditional full time academy, see what else Former Cadet Van Stralen has to say here.

Former Cadet Thomas :

Cadet_thomas Class XIX graduate Thomas explains why he choose VFA over the other acadamies in the Southern California area.

He started by mentioning he liked the part time nature, which allowed him to hold a job but still train to become a fire fighter.

He mentioned the instructors from all over the Southern California area

Then he finished off with the ability to earn multiply certificates. Check out everythng he has to say here.

VFA Graduate Glendale Fire Fighter Moroshan:

Former Cadet Moroshan from Class XVIII explains what differentiates Verdugo Fire Academy, over the other academies offered in the Southern California area around Los Angeles.

First he said it was the amount of hours of training, over 920 which is beneficial to hands on learning.

Diverse instructors from many Area C departments which give varying experiences and expertise in the fields.

Last is the friendships you will cultivate over the course of the time spent in the academy which encompasses a whole year.

The Verdugo Fire Academy has many advantages over a traditional full time academy, see what else Former Cadet Moroshan has to say here.

VFA Graduate Oxnard Fire Fighter Bryan Andrews:

Firefighter Andrews

I graduated the VFA in January 2012 as a Husband, father of three children, business owner, and sole provider for my family financially. I have a home with a mortgage and responsibilities.

The Verdugo Fire Academy allowed me to successfully receive my FF1 cert; I accomplished this while running my business full-time for the entire year of 2011. It was one of the most challenging years of my life yet, the VFA cadre prepared me to reach my dream.

November 2012 I was hired as a full-time professional Firefighter with the Oxnard Fire Department. I LOVE IT!

If you have a dream or passion for becoming a firefighter the VFA can help. The instructors are knowledgeable and passionate. We received amazing training that allowed me to excel in my Fire Department Academy. The VFA built my confidence in my skills and helped me prepare physically and mentally.

The cadre helped me with interviews, testing, and the entire process. I owe a debt of gratitude to the instructors that paved the way for me to fulfill my dream of getting hired. The day my wife pinned my badge was one of the most memorable days of my life and I couldn't have done it without the Verdugo Fire Academy.

Firefighter / Hazardous Materials Specialist - Oxnard Fire Department

Alumni News

The newest hires

June 2021
Class XXII Cadet Tim Van Stralen hired by the City of Arcadia. Congratulations Firefighter Van Stralen
June 2020
Class XXIII Cadets Billimore and McGee resigned VFA due to being hired by City of Reno Nevada, and Los Angeles County. Congratulations cadets.
January 2019
Class XX Cadet Armen Hacopian will be starting the Training Tower for Pasadena on February 4th. Congratulations cadet.
August 2018
A current member of Class XXI accepted a position with a department in Tennessee. Congratulations Cadet Lanzafame.
July 2018
Class XX Cadets AC. Brown and C. Perez and Class XXI Cadet E. Reyes will be starting the Training Tower for LAFD on July 21. Congratulations cadets, strong work.
June 2018
Class XIX Cadet Mena has passed the academy of The City of Colorado Springs Colorado Fire Department, and is currently a probationary firefighter with Colorado Springs Fire Department. Congratulations Firefighter Mena.
March 2018
Class XIX Cadet De Anda has accepted a job offer with the City of Brea Fire Department. He is currently out of the tower and on the floor. Congratualtions Firefighter De Anda.
December 2017
Class XX Cadet Mendoza has accepted a job offer with the Ventura County Fire Department. He will start in January of 2018.
June 2017
Class XIX Cadet Pornthepsiroong has accepted a job offer with the Palm Springs Fire Department. He will start June 26th.
February 2017
Class XVII Cadet Jeffrey Wong and Class XVIII Peter Santana have been hired by Monterey Park Fire. Congratulations Fire Fighter's Wong and Santana.
January 2017
Class XIX Cadet BC Michael Bailey currently in Long Beach Fire Department recruit academy. Congratulations Fire Fighter Bailey.
October 2016
Armin Hagopian Class XIX Long Beach Fire A/O. Curtis Edgeley Class XVII Monrovia Fire Department Firefighter.

Alumni List

The Staff of the Verdugo Fire Academy is establishing records of former cadets and the percentages of cadets being hired by Fire Departments.

Please fill out the form below to add your statistics to our database.

If your name is all ready listed please fill out the form and resend the information this way we can update and change information if needed.