This firefighter academy started on July 10, 2023, and their training was completed on August 18, 2023.

Ryan Andrade

I’m 24 years old, born and raised in Fresno. I graduated from Hoover High School, where I was involved in swim and water polo. I attended Clovis Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Kinesiology before obtaining my EMT through Fresno City College. I then joined the FCC Fire Academy where I fell in love with the fire service. With years of working in customer service, I knew that I had chosen an amazing career that would allow me to continue to not only work with the people in my community, but allow me the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

 Darin Duarte

I was born in 1989 and grew up in West Fresno. I graduated from Fresno High School class of 2007. After high school I joined the Army and became an Infantrymen with the 10th Mountain Light Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team stationed in Fort Polk Louisiana. In the Army I was a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom south of Baghdad and Operation Enduring Freedom in the Wardak Provence. During this time and until now I have also made a family. I have two amazing daughters Elizabeth and Norri. My daughter Elizabeth has autism and I have become an advocate for special needs programs and try to get involved when I can. Norri is a Daddy's girl and at this point wants to one day become a firefighter like me. After the Army I did security services but missed the comradery and the sense of duty and purpose that serving in the Army gave me so I decided to find those and pursue them in the fire service. I am honored to be part of something bigger than myself and to be able to serve the community and the public again. When I am not working I enjoy the outdoors and camping, playing poker, Dungeons and Dragons, Airsoft, and going to music festivals.

Jackson Duncan

I am 27 years old. I was born in Bakersfield but moved to Fresno right before starting school and the area has been home to me ever since. I went to Bullard High School where I spent almost of my free time playing football. Once I graduated high school I attended Fresno State University where I majored in Communications. After getting by Bachelor’s Degree I decided that being a firefighter would be the perfect job for me, I love learning the many practical skills a firefighter needs to have and getting the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in and North Central is the greatest honor I could ask for. I look forward to earning my place here and making this district proud.

Edwin Escobedo

I was born and raised in Fresno, California, where I graduated from Bullard High School in 2019. At the age of 15, I joined a Fire Explorer program that taught me a lot about the fire service and made me want to pursue a career as a Firefighter. After high school, I went to Fresno City College (FCC) where I got my Associates Degree in Fire Technology. I took my EMT course and completed the FCC Fire Academy in 2022. I was given an opportunity to do an internship with North Central Fire Protection District right after the academy. I learned so much and I really enjoyed my time here. Meanwhile I did my internship, I became an EMT with my local Ambulance company and got some experience running EMS calls. I was blessed and honored with an opportunity of employment for Firefighter I, here at North Central and took it with no doubt. I get to protect an area I grew up in and get to know the City of Kerman while doing the best job in the world.

Joe Evangelho

I was born and raised in Fresno California. I graduated Edison High School in 2020. I am the youngest of 9 siblings with 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Some of my hobbies include jujitsu, fishing, physical exercise, and traveling with my friends to the coast or mountains. After graduating High School, I worked as an EMT for a year and half. While working as an EMT I realized I was answering God's call to a dedicated life of service. I joined the Fresno City Fire Academy in pursuit of a firefighter position. I grew up around the corner from station 59 and I am so honored to not only be serving the community I grew up in but doing it as a member of North Central Fire Protection District. I look forward to the lifelong bonds that will be formed over the years with my coworkers while continuing to provide the highest level of customer service to the people we serve.

Robert Gallegos

I was born and raised in Clovis, and graduated from Clovis North High School. While attending Clovis North, I enjoyed playing football, attending fire ROP and participating as a fire explorer. I come from a civil servant family, with my mom being a teacher and my dad and brother being police officers. In my spare time I enjoy archery and playing with my dog Loki.

Brandon Goms

I was born and spend the first 12 years of my life down in Ventura County CA. At the age of 12 I moved to my now home in Clovis CA. I attended Clovis High School where I played football and graduated in 2016. After High school, I moved straight in to my 4-year degree at Fresno State University where I got my Business Management Bachelor of Science. Around my final year at Fresno State I got introduced to the fire service, the feeling of pride and team sucked me into pursuing being a firefighter. I immediately completed my EMT license following college and was accepted into Fresno Community College’s (FCC) Fire Academy July of 2022. I soon started up with Class 58 and the journey I had with my peers in the academy only enforced the joy I got from the fire service. Upon Graduating from the FCC Fire Academy, I started an internship with North Central Fire Protection District where I was able to log over 450+ hours of hands on experience. Learning the North Central Fire area, equipment and people drew me into applying. I am proud of the work I have put in to get to the position I am in but know there is more work to be done. I am very grateful to be putting in that work and advancing my career with North Central Fire Protection District.

 Asher Holland

I am 19 years old and have lived in Fresno all my life, with my mom, dad, older sister and younger brother. I graduated from Bullard high School in 2021. My dream of becoming a firefighter sparked when I was little. I have grown up near a fire station all my life. Which I would go to and do station visits. I always would see the fire engine coming and going from the fire station. From then on, I knew I wanted to be a firefighter and serve my community. After graduating high school, I enrolled at Fresno City College and started working towards my associates in fire technology, which I am still attending. But recently graduated from the Fresno City College fire academy. My hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, traveling and spending time with my family. I am eager to learn new skills and excited to be able to serve a community so close to mine. 

Joseph Hunnicutt

I was born and raised in Fresno, CA and love living in the Central Valley with my fiancée Kaylee and dog Myles. Prior to pursuing a career in the fire service, I was an insurance sales agent but wanted to do the fulfilling work of being more involved with my community. I became an EMT and worked with American Ambulance for over a year. I then attended Fresno City College Fire Academy; from which I recently graduated as part of class 59, and I was honored to receive the Mike Collins Award. I am an avid skydiver having completed almost 600 jumps. I love adventure and my additional hobbies include scuba diving, backpacking, and traveling.

Andrew  Manzo

I’m 22 years old. I was born and raised in Anaheim, California where I lived for 12 years. My family moved to the Central Valley in 2012, and we’ve lived in the Fresno area for the last 10 years. I attended Clovis West and Clovis East High School, graduating from the latter. My Fire service experience began sophomore year when I joined the Clovis Fire Explorers for just under 2 years. I stepped away from the program to focus on school and work, but I never forgot my time learning and practicing the vocation. After high school, I was employed as a field installer for a local cabinet shop.  Yearning for a greater purpose, I retuned to pursuing a career in the fire service. After 3 ½ years, I attended Fresno City College’s Basic Fire Academy and interned for 5 months with North Central Fire Protection District. My passion for serving and interacting with the public was solidified after my first day as an intern. What I enjoy most about the district is its tight bond with its community and within, between its members. I live with my mother, Mariana and my uncle, Roberto. Hobbies I enjoy include reading, playing pool and pottery.

Osvaldo Ponce

I am 21 years old and was born and raised here in the Central Valley. I have lived in Biola, CA my whole life, I have 2 sisters and had one brother who unfortunately passed away in a car accident back in 2017. I graduated from Central East High School in 2019 and after high school I took a few classes at Fresno City College and in 2022 I got my EMT and was enrolled into the Fresno City College Fire Academy, after the fire academy I was fortunate enough to become an intern firefighter here at North Central and during my internship I also got a full-time job as a EMT for American Ambulance. I am thankful to be given this opportunity to protect and serve the community I grew up in.