(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 3, 2014) – The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services held a Basic Firefighter Recruit Graduation Ceremony for the 2013-01 Recruit School class. The recruits and their families met at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville today, April 3, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony took place in the auditorium on the main-level of the building. 

Gwinnett County Fire Chief, Casey Snyder presented the 33 recruits with their diplomas and badges. Fire Chief Snyder said,” this profession is built on public trust…and that a lot of other professions fell off of that platform.” Snyder encouraged the new “rookie” firefighters to remember that they have a great responsibility to the public. Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Charlotte Nash thanked the families and welcomed the new firefighters into service with “the best (fire department) in the universe.” District 3 Commissioner, Tommy Hunter offered the support of the Board of Commissioners and thanked the new ‘rookie’ firefighters for the job that they did to reach graduation and for the job that they are about to do.  Gwinnett County Administrator, Glenn Stephens told the new firefighters that they, “are ready to face future endeavors” with some going directly into paramedic school.

The new firefighters are being recognized for their achievements from an oftentimes arduous certification process. These fire recruits attended over 1,240 hours of basic firefighter and emergency medical technician training.  There are 640 hours of firefighter training and well over 600 hours of advanced-emergency medical technician training that included classroom, practical evolutions, and clinical rotations.  “This graduating class, 2013-01, is the first in the history of the Gwinnett Fire Department to be offered the opportunity to immediately start the paramedic certification process,” said Gwinnett County Fire Department Spokesperson, Colin Rhoden.

In addition to the basics; recruits receive instruction in hazardous materials awareness/operations, emergency response to terrorism, and pre-hospital emergency medical care.  Training to become a firefighter is both academically and physically challenging “The hiring of firefighters would not be possible without the continued support of our Citizens, County Staff, and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, stated Rhoden, we are proud to welcome these outstanding men and women to our fire and emergency services family.

Basic Firefighter Recruit Class 2013-01

Dustin Bell
Kimberly Bingham
Taylor Bradford
Wayne Burdette
William Burton
Thomas Caputo
Kyle Chewning
Nicholas Delaney
Jared Eager
Ryan Griffin
Carlis Howze
Joshua Huggins
Ryan Hursey
Sean Johnson
Tara Johnson
Chad Keough
Carmelo Kieler
Joseph Kwiatkowski
Clay Mantovani
Adam Nash
John Niekro
Jessica Payne
Zachary Pearson
John Pulte
Brandon Ramsey
Kayla Scalise
Andrew Smalling
Trinity Smith
Dustin Terrell
Sam Truong
Preston Underwood
Luke Vogler
Trevor Warbington