A Cypress Creek Fire Department Division Chief of Training by day and a Lone Star College-CyFair Fire Sciences Department Skills Instructor by night, Jason Corthell was recognized and honored with the George M. Hughes Texas Instructor of the Year Award at the Texas Association of Fire Educators Conference.
Corthell is a fourth-generation firefighter who has more than 15 years of experience in fire services having worked with the both the Cypress Creek and Pearland Fire Departments. He also served four years in the U.S. Marine Corp before he earned his LSC-CyFair Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology in 2013. Recalling the impact of his own instructors, Corthell returned to LSC-CyFair in 2016 to teach future generations of firefighters.
With a desire to see empowerment within his students and success, he keeps a calm and approachable demeanor as a teacher. He provides supportive guidance while allowing students to fail and then problem solve to gain confidence. He does his best to be a positive and beneficial influencer and leader.
“I strive to not only make better students and firefighters, but most of all better people,” he said. “The ability to contribute to someone's growth in a profession that has so much to offer is second to none and I do not take that lightly.”
Not knowing what each day holds intrigues Corthell, who said the job is an absolute calling. It’s one unlike any other that gives a person pride in serving the people of their community, he said.
“There’s very few careers left in the world that not only awe people, but leave them inspired by the dedication, selflessness and devotion it takes in someone to complete this training and be in our job field,” he said.
As an experienced first responder, veteran and recipient of the Governor’s 2016 Star of Texas Award, Corthell is an advocate promoting mental wellness sharing his own journey through PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and into PTG (Post Traumatic Growth). Visit Ironcladwellness.com for information.
The application process for LSC-CyFair’s 2024-2025 Fire Academy begins March 22. For information, go to LoneStar.edu/fire-science-dept-cyfair.