Pagan battles the pandemic to complete fire academy

Joshua Pagan, who graduates from Victor Valley Fire Company today, poses in front of his fire engine after a long day of wildland training. Joshua, from Canyon Lake, completed 12 weeks of intense training despite the interruptions and complexity caused by COVID-19. Photo by Ken Wallace

Joshua Pagan, a Canyon Lake resident, and his firefighting company graduated from Victor Valley Fire Academy on Saturday despite delays and obstacles that they had to face due to COVID-19.

“I can’t tell you how incredibly proud I am of my son for the determination he’s shown through this,” Denise Pagan said. “When others are getting weak from the strenuous mental and physical training they go through, he rallies his company together and lets them know quitting is NOT an option. I want our community to know it has a new first responder to be proud of.”

After becoming a certified EMT in order to qualify for the fire technology program, Joshua completed 660 hours of training and study over the course of 26 weeks. The training included the Biddle Test, an intense obstacle course that incorporates 11 exercises that help hone firefighting skills. The time required to pass the course is nine minutes and 34 seconds. Joshua completed it in seven minutes and 26 seconds.

Fire burns behind Joshua after finishing training with using chainsaws to create roof ventilation. Joshua graduates today from the fire academy, making him one of the newest first responders in the state. Photo by Sarah Warden

Now that Joshua has met the professional standards required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office and qualified for Cal Fire, he is prepared to fight fires with local agencies within the state of California. He may one day serve as a fire investigation specialist, he said.

“These are the men and women who are pushing through these trying times with the determination to serve the public as first responders,” Denise said. “These future firefighters don’t get enough praise for what they do. They are the heroes who run into burning buildings to save lives with the chance they themselves may not come back out.”