Cade Steichen graduated as Valedictorian of the Elgin Community College (ECC) Fire Academy Class of 2024. He is completing the on-the-job training portion of his Apprenticeship with the East Dundee Fire Protection District.

During his speech at graduation, given while proudly wearing his green Apprenticeship stole, Cade noted, "I believe in this unique career, each one of us will have a moment or a few moments such as this, and it is up to us to place ourselves in a position to be as prepared as possible and to have a relentless approach to never stop learning, training and pushing yourself to be better so when the time comes to use what you have learned, you do not fall short." He also participated in a video series highlighting apprenticeships through ECC. He noted how having his department's support and ECC's Apprenticeship Program helped him focus on his academics and training with a clear goal.

ECC's fire fighting apprenticeship is front-loaded, and Cade looks forward to training at the firehouse with his mentor and learning alongside fellow firefighters as he completes his competencies.