ETAMU Police Academy Cadet Named Firefighter of the Year

A cadet currently enrolled in East Texas A&M’s Law Enforcement Training Academy (AMLETA) was recently named the Firefighter of the Year by the Farmersville Fire Department (FFD) in Farmersville, Texas. Penny Phillips was recognized as the department’s top firefighter at the July 1 meeting of the Farmersville Rotary Club.

Phillips first joined FFD in 2021 and has worked her way up to the role of community outreach and risk reduction specialist within the department. Phillips said of her honor, as quoted by the Farmersville Times, “I think every firefighter should strive to earn this honor. I am just doing my part to help everyone who works in our department.”

She is currently enrolled in AMLETA with the aim of becoming an arson investigator. The academy aims to train and equip cadets with the knowledge needed to pass the Texas Basic Peace Officer Course licensing exam. AMLETA is under current contract and licensure with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to teach its courses. It offers instruction both during the day and evening.

Penny Phillips first became involved in the firefighting profession less than five years ago. | Photo courtesy of FFD