Six new firefighters with the Hughson Fire Department graduated from a joint volunteer academy conducted by Denair, Hughson, Keyes and Turlock Rural Fire Departments on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The eight-week academy is held twice a year in the spring and fall to introduce the new recruits to some basic firefighter skills.

Each recruit goes onto their respective departments as probationary firefighters where they will continue with training and education. There were 25 total graduates for the fall 2025 class that included attendees from Newman Fire Department.

The ceremony in Keyes was packed with family and friends to celebrate the accomplishment. They watched one demonstration required to be learned in the academy as they fully dressed in personal protective equipment including their self-contained breathing apparatus in less than two minutes.