Franklin’s Newest Firefighters
Eight weeks of blood, sweat and tears culminated last week as 18 firefighters celebrated their graduation from Franklin Fire Department’s Recruit Training Academy. These newest members completed the department’s 240-hour recruit program and are already hard at work.
During training, the firefighters refined their skills and enhanced their knowledge on such topics as firefighting tactics, high angle rescue, vehicle extrication, fire protection systems and public education. Although many of these recruits were hired by Franklin with previous experience gained from other fire departments, they quickly became familiar with firefighting concepts unique to the City of Franklin. Four of the new firefighters are already certified as Paramedics and will further increase the Fire
Department’s ability to respond to the ever-increasing volume of calls for medical emergencies.
During the graduation ceremony, Recruit Firefighter and class spokesperson Ted Smith acknowledged many accomplishments of the group with several class awards. Smith also announced Landon McKee as Outstanding Recruit Firefighter. Members of the recruit class nominated and voted on this award. Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek recognized the class as the largest single recruit class in recent history.
These firefighters will fill open vacancies to address personnel levels as well as preparing for the opening of Fire Station #6 slated for early fall.
Graduation Group Photo Index (L-R)
First Row:
Timothy Primm, Jeremy Channell, Andrew Adams, Joe Paulin Jr., Tommy Alexander, Keith McVoy, Alex Enochs, James Gambill, Jason Morgan, Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek
Second Row:
Jeremy Martin, John Balitsky Jr., Bradley Craig, David Dodd, Kris Bull, Jason Webb, Ted Smith, Landon, McKee, Chris McElvain