Student firefighters progress to national competition

Student firefighter medalists at the SkillsUSA Alaska competition take a photo with Jamie Bero, an assistant professor of fire science with the ҹɫ¸£Àû Community and Technical College.
Photo courtesy of Jamie Bero
Student firefighter medalists at the SkillsUSA Alaska competition take a photo with Jamie Bero, an assistant professor of fire science with the ҹɫ¸£Àû Community and Technical College.

June 1, 2026

Alaska student firefighters are in Atlanta this week for the SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference. The two previously earned medals at the state-level competition in March.

Tyler Christensen, a ҹɫ¸£Àû sophomore majoring in homeland security and emergency management, took gold in the Alaska college/post-secondary category, and Daniel Hayes from North Pole High School took gold in the high school category.

SkillsUSA empowers students to become skilled professionals and responsible community members. Involvement in the competition supports the UAF Community and Technical College’s mission to prepare workforce-ready graduates through community-focused education and training.

Jamie Bero, an assistant professor of fire science, chaired the firefighting competition for SkillsUSA Alaska. The Anchorage Fire Department, led by Chief Douglas Schrage — a graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks fire science program — provided the competition site, judges and required apparatus and equipment.

Competitors completed written tests and an in-person interview, tied nine knots and completed two skills circuits. The circuits included donning bunker gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, dressing a fire hydrant, navigating confined and restricted space passages, hoisting a tool, performing CPR, executing a victim drag, conducting forcible entry, coupling firefighting hose, flowing water, and throwing a ladder. Participants were judged on both efficiency (time) and on executing the skill properly.

Alaska college/post-secondary medalists

  • Gold: Tyler Christensen, a sophomore majoring in homeland security and emergency management
  • Silver: Frank Koloski, a freshman pursuing a bachelor of applied management and associate of fire science degrees

Alaska high school medalists

  • Gold: Daniel Hayes, North Pole High School
  • Silver: Marshall Winningham, Hutchinson High School
  • Bronze: Keinan Williamson, Hutchinson High School.