Each year, the Knox County Fire Training Academy hosts an intensive program designed for both volunteers and career firefighters. Spanning six months, the hybrid program combines classroom instruction, hands-on training, and online coursework to provide a foundation in fire service.

The training compiles the requirements of the NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II into a comprehensive curriculum used to train firefighters to a specific standard across the nation. To provide this high-level training, the KCFTA brings together instructors from across the county and state, forming a collaborative team dedicated to guiding cadets through a rigorous curriculum.

By focusing on a more regionalized approach, the KCFTA gives students the opportunity to train alongside members of neighboring departments, connections that typically only occur during emergency responses.

This model not only strengthens relationships across agencies, reinforcing the spirit of our mutual aid agreements, but also allows us to make the most of our shared resources. Through growing regional collaboration, we’re able to continue offering meaningful, effective training that supports the safety and readiness of all the communities we serve.

The 2025 KCFTA program is led and organized by Lead Instructor Mike Lunt. This year’s academy includes 21 students representing departments from Appleton, Belfast, Cushing, Freeport, Gardiner, Hope, Nobleboro, Owls Head, Rockland, Rockport, Searsmont, St. George, Thomaston and Union.

The program will culminate with a structural live fire training exercise on June 1 at the Knox County Fire Training Facility in Spruce Head.

Students will then complete a written exam and their final skills evaluation on June 21. By that time, each cadet will have completed over 200 hours of intensive classroom and hands-on training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to better serve their communities.

Graduation from the course marks just the beginning. New firefighters continue their education by learning the protocols and operations unique to their individual departments. As KCFTA instructors remind each class, “There is forever always more to learn.”

The KCFTA’s guiding motto, “Learn from the past, train for the present, eyes on the future”, reflects our commitment to honoring experience, meeting today’s challenges, and preparing for what lies ahead. By learning from historical lessons and real-world incidents, we build a foundation of knowledge that informs us of our current training methods.

At the same time, we remain focused on present-day demands, ensuring our curriculum stays relevant, practical, and responsive.

Looking forward, this motto drives us to continuously evolve — embracing innovation, regional collaboration, and emerging technologies — to prepare our firefighters for the dynamic challenges of tomorrow. It’s more than a phrase; it’s a philosophy that shapes every aspect of how we design and deliver training for the future.

Mike Lunt is a firefighter with the St. George Fire Department