A celebration was held inside the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium on Wednesday for a special graduation.

"Excited," Graduate Phil Walker said. "I'm excited to start a new journey."

Phil Walker is one of the 30 people who have just completed an eight-week course at the Future Fire Academy , now fully ready to start their careers in the fire service.

"We just focus on giving opportunities to folks that don't always have opportunities to be able to get in the firefighting," said Chief Anthony Pedro, founder and CEO of the Future Fire Academy.

From former inmates to veterans to people in underserved communities, Future Fire Academy said it supports all. Not only do they provide the support, but the students themselves support and learn from one another.

"I sit back and watch them pus

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