Story and Photos by Nate Camfiord
On Wednesday July 8th, the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Training Academy graduated the very first Volunteer Firefighter I/II (combination) Recruit Class. The class consisted of volunteer recruits from Yorkshire, Dale City, OWL, Dumfries and Lake Jackson. The graduation ceremony took place at the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Training Academy in Nokesville, and was attended by friends and family of the graduating recruits, instructors from throughout the county, as well as officers and chiefs from many of the county’s 10 volunteer departments. Prince William County DFR Captain Shawn Crispin presided over the ceremony.
The class initially began their training in fall of 2008, but was halted following the LODD of volunteer recruit Cecilia Turnbough. Following a restructuring of the course curriculum (which included mandated physicals) the class returned to training in January, 2009 – from day 1 of the new training cirriculum, making the total time commitment by the recruits nearly 8 months. Recruits attended class two nights a week as well as a full day on weekends.
Since Fall 2008, this class has overcome many obstacles. The challenges they encountered were not just those of your typical Firefighter I & II class, but they also had to overcome the lost of a classmate and friend. I had the pleasure to work with every one of these new firefighters during their training. Now they are in the field still giving their best and I can assure you, they will succeed at any task with which they are faced.
As mentioned in the article, they committed themselves for almost eight months and they accomplished not just their graduation but also to be part of a positive change to a whole system. The class itself went from being a bunch of individuals from many volunteer departments to become one team, one family, one class of firefighters. I am proud of every one of them!
I wish you the best in your future. Don’t let anyone put out the fire within you. Keep training, be safe, but most importantly, never forget where you came from. Pass on to others your knowledge, skills and love for the profession. I am proud of you my brothers and sisters.
Be safe & God bless
Your brother,
Technician II Mariano Icaza
While the challenges of the class were great – those that stuck with it…. made it. I must say I’m proud of everyone (especially my son Ryan Dorsey). I agree with Technician Mariano Icaza — PASS ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND LOVE FOR THE PROFESSION….
All the best for the future.
Be safe & God bless
George Dorsey