Charlotte County Fire & EMS and Charlotte Technical College marked a major milestone on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, hosting their first Signing Day Ceremony for students preparing to launch careers in fire and emergency medical services.
This event honored local students who’ve chosen the tough but rewarding road of fire and EMS work. During the ceremony, each student signed a letter of intent, a formal step towards future roles with Charlotte County Fire & EMS.
This year’s honorees:
Max Anderson, Cameron Becerril, Justice Becerril, Marcus Gaipo, Quinn Gecan, André Gerber, Casey Hidalgo, Eli Manley, Jaden Palmer, Justin Rogers, and Cameron Stewart.
The Signing Day put a spotlight on the power of workforce partnerships and supported Charlotte County Public Schools’ “3Es” initiative, Employ, Enlist, and Enroll, which pushes students to carve out meaningful futures after graduation, whether that’s through a university, the military, or direct entry into the workforce.
Thanks to the partnership with Charlotte Technical College, these students gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and the real-world training they need to step confidently into public safety roles.
“This ceremony invests in the future of fire and EMS, and it acknowledges the commitment and hard work these students have shown just to reach this point,” said Fire Chief and Public Safety Director Matthew McElroy. “Many of them grew up right here. Serving your own community—that has a real impact. We’re proud to support the next generation of firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics as they begin their journey.”
Megan Hornstein, IT Instructor at Charlotte Technical College and SkillsUSA Advisor, added, “Signing Day shines a spotlight on career and technical education. The students planning, hosting, and producing every detail of today’s event are SkillsUSA members or alumni. Partnering with Charlotte County Fire & EMS gave us a chance to celebrate real achievement at CTC, and the students jumped right in.”
Once these students finish their required certifications, hands-on training, and meet all hiring standards, they’ll have the chance to interview for positions with Charlotte County Fire & EMS.
The department hopes this Signing Day becomes a lasting tradition, a way to connect students with genuine opportunities in public safety and build even stronger ties between local schools and the community.
Charlotte County Fire & EMS provides fire suppression, advanced life support, special operations, marine response, aircraft rescue, and public safety education across the county.
For more information about Charlotte County Fire & EMS, contact Ashley Turner at 941-833-5610 or [email protected].
