From classmates to firefighters: Friends make Bates Technical College history together
Posted: July 20, 2026
East Pierce Fire & Rescue firefighters become the first graduates of Bates Technical College’s first bachelor’s degree program in Public Safety Administration.
Six years after meeting as students in Bates Technical College’s Fire Service program, two East Pierce Fire & Rescue firefighters celebrated another milestone together. On June 5, Cajetan Martin and Alema Gago , crossed the stage at the Tacoma Dome, becoming the first graduates of the college’s first-ever bachelor’s degree program.
Martin and Gago were hired after earning their associate degree in 2022. They heard about the new Public Safety Administration Bachelor of Applied Science degree from former fire program instructors and were interested in pursuing this opportunity.
Designed for those already employed in the public safety field, the degree prepares students for leadership positions while continuing to work.
“The program changed how I think about leadership,” Gago said. “It gave me a much better understanding of how decisions are made, how departments operate and how I can better serve both my team and my community.”
Martin and Gago said the program gave them a new perspective on the systems and decision-making processes that support first responders and the communities they serve.
Balancing full-time careers, parenthood and college coursework required careful time management and a strong support system. Both said the support they received from classmates, instructors and their families played a critical role in their success.
“That support is critical,” Martin said. “We’ve even welcomed kids around the same time, so it’s been really important.”
For the firefighters, the BAS program offered an opportunity to continue their education without stepping away from the careers they loved. The flexible format allowed them to balance work, family and school while preparing for future leadership opportunities.
Through coursework in communication, budgeting, ethics, personnel management and organizational leadership, Public Safety Administration program students develop skills necessary to lead teams, manage complex incidents and navigate today’s evolving public safety landscape. Coursework also explores emerging issues including cybersecurity, emergency management, public health crises and disaster response.
“This program was created for professionals who want to continue serving their communities while preparing for leadership opportunities,” said Dr. Lin Zhou, president of Bates Technical College. “As the first graduates of our bachelor’s degree program, Cajetan and Alema represent exactly what is possible when experienced first responders invest in the next step of their careers.”
For Martin and Gago, the program strengthened their confidence to pursue leadership opportunities within the fire service, including acting officer and lieutenant positions.
As the inaugural graduates of the college’s first bachelor’s degree, Martin and Gago demonstrate how technical education can create pathways from the front lines of public service to leadership roles, all while continuing to serve their communities.
What began as a friendship in the Fire Service program has grown into shared careers, a shared commitment to serving their community and a shared place in the college’s history.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration program at batestech.edu/programs/public-safety-administration/.
