Jonathan Pae Joins Aurora Fire Rescue
Aurora Fire Academy graduation ceremony was held at Aurora City Hall on January 30. This year, the academy received 760 applications, of which only 26 candidates were selected for the rigorous training program. After an intensive 24-week training period, only 11 recruits successfully graduated and were officially sworn in as firefighters for Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR).
One of the graduates was Jonathan Pae, a second-generation Korean American who has now joined Aurora Fire Rescue. Born to first-generation Korean parents, Pae grew up in Aurora as the eldest of four siblings (two brothers and two sisters). He spent his early years in the Mission Viejo area and later gained hands-on firefighting experience as a volunteer firefighter in Franktown.
In 2024, he was among the 26 finalists selected from a pool of 760 applicants for the Aurora Fire Academy. After completing the intensive 24-week program, he became one of the 11 final graduates, officially joining Aurora Fire Rescue.
How to Apply for Aurora Fire Academy
For those interested in becoming a firefighter with Aurora Fire Rescue, the entry-level academy has specific requirements:
Application Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old by the start date of the academy
Successful completion of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) within one year before the academy start date
Successful completion of the National Testing Network FireTEAM test
Currently, applications for the entry-level fire academy are closed, and the next session will begin in June 2025. However, those interested in future opportunities can email afrrecruiting@auroragov.org to be placed on the notification list for upcoming application periods.
With the newest recruits now officially part of Aurora Fire Rescue, they are ready to serve and protect the Aurora community, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
