Six firefighter apprentices complete first year of training

CCFR captains high-five apprentices Brendan Jackson, Kajson Cunningham, Justus Paden, Sarah Kuhnell, and Lillian Thorington at their pinning ceremony on June 14, 2026. (Photo by Yvonne Krumrey/KTOO)
Six new firefighters officially joined Capital City Fire/Rescue after completing a year-long apprenticeship. It was the first year of this paid apprentice program in Juneau and it’s helping the agency fill a staffing shortage.
Assistant Fire Chief Sam Russell led the program. At the pinning cer