On June 17 at 6 p.m. Richmond Fire and Emergency Services held its basic recruit graduation ceremony for 20 new firefighters. The process started last year with the opening of the application period that resulted in more than 3,000 applicants. These firefighters went thru a 20 week academy. Some of them hit the streets of Richmond as early as this past Saturday. The graduation address was given by Deputy Secretary of Public Safety for the State of Virginia John Buckovich.

Lt. Shawn L. Jones, CFO
City of Richmond Fire & Emergency Services

The Roanoke County Firefighter II Class is nearing completion. They recently had their night burn and enjoyed using the Roanoke Valley Training Centers new Class B burn building

Submitted by Matthew Jones

The entire Academy class before our burn. Front row from left to right: Matthew Jones (Class President), Aaron Kasey (Batallion 1 Leader), Hunter Bell, David Ketchum, Daniel Rodgers, Jon Shelton and Tracey Huffman. Second Row from left to right: Wes Mullins (Batallion 2 leader), Mikie Lester, Zach Harrell, Greg Davies, Justin Smith, Jeremy Wimmer, W. Krae Heath, Keith Ball and Morgan Doyle.

The last evolution before we ended the training for the night.

The students took command of the training evolution.

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.

Front Row L-R: FF/Medic J. Bartlett & FF J. Zaremski

Back Row L-R: FF/Medic B. Frostick, FF J. Cundiff, FF J. Reed, FF J. Absher, & FF S. Lower

Submitted by K. H. Hartle Jr