COLUMBUS (7-25-24) ­­– The Ohio Fire Academy (OFA) announces its second graduating class of 2024, which consists of 19 cadets from across the region. Members of this graduating class represent a wide range of backgrounds and diverse experiences. Fourteen members of this class are from Ohio, four are from Pennsylvania, and one is from Michigan.

Jace Jackson

Celina’s Jace Jackson is one of the graduates. Last year Mercer Health Emergency Department and the Celina EMS recognized Jackson and Shannon Neargarder for exceptional community heroics, emergency response and overall commitment to excellence in lifesaving measures.

RELATED: Life-saving measures recognized by Mercer Health Emergency Department and Celina EMS

Graduates will be recognized at a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 26 at the OFA’s location at 8895 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.

A list of graduating cadets and their hometowns is below:

Bixby, John A.

  • Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Erie Fire Department

Cook, Nathan Lee

  • Fostoria, Ohio
  • Fostoria Fire Department

DeLaughder, Cole

  • Danville, Ohio

Ekleberry, Brok A.

  • Tiffin, Ohio
  • Fostoria Fire Department

Gardner, Judah M.

  • Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Erie Fire Department

Howard, Joshua Scott

  • Toledo, Ohio
  • Sylvania Township Fire Department

Jackson, Jace C.

  • Celina, Ohio

Koerper, Jack A.

  • Tiffin, Ohio
  • Fostoria Fire Department

Lehman, BradLee R.

  • Trenton, Ohio
  • Hamilton Fire Department

Mason, Jonah L.

  • Cincinnati, Ohio

Merringer, Alexander Michael

  • Reynoldsburg, Ohio
  • Violet Township Fire Department

Miller, Jonathan D.

  • Marion, Ohio
  • Marion City Fire Department

Ochs, Seth

  • Newark, Ohio
  • Upper Arlington Fire Department

Queen, Tanner L.

  • Portsmouth, Ohio
  • Portsmouth Fire Department

Roofner, Jarod L.

  • Titusville, Pennsylvania
  • Erie Fire Department

Savoia, Nickolas E.

  • Waterford, Pennsylvania
  • Erie Fire Department

Shaw, Robert Eugene

  • Springfield, Ohio
  • Springfield Township Fire Department

Stevens, Jacob M.

  • West Portsmouth, Ohio
  • New Boston Fire Department

Stewart, Jacob Allen

  • Zeeland, Michigan
  • Erie Fire Department

The Ohio Fire Academy’s cadet training program is among the most challenging in the nation, requiring cadets to undergo rigorous physical and mental training to prepare them for the demands of firefighting. The academy’s commitment to excellence is evident in the success of its graduates who are highly sought after by fire departments across the state.