(Lawrenceville, Ga., May 18, 2018) – The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is proud to announce the recent graduation of 22 new recruits who completed the department’s arduous training program to become certified Firefighter-Paramedics. Additionally, there were 10 veteran firefighters who successfully completed the paramedic training program in order to enhance their skills.

A ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. Fire Chief Russell Knick and members of the department’s Command Staff joined the recruits and their families in a badge pinning ritual and presentation of certificates. The recruits were praised for their hard work and dedication as they underwent 16-months of classroom instruction, medical clinical rotations at the hospital and on the ambulance, practical lab scenarios and basic firefighter training.

The Chief was joined by Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte J. Nash, District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard, County Administrator Glenn Stephens, Deputy County Administrator Phil Hoskins and Assistant Medical Director-Doctor Patrick McDougal in congratulating the class for their many accomplishments. The graduates were encouraged to continue learning throughout their career and to always serve with kindness and compassion. The families were also praised for being a positive support mechanism as their loved one spent time studying class materials.
Several class awards and recognitions were given out to include: Academic Award to Kevin Caldwell, Physical Fitness Award to Dustin Gannon, Paramedic Star of Life Award to Richard Zabala, Core Values Award to Brady Whitley and Top Rung Award to Kevin Caldwell.

Veteran Firefighters Who Completed the Paramedic Program
Patrick Britt Kayla Scalise
Jeremy Edwards Dustin Scoggins
Spencer Ellis Christopher Smith
Sean Henry Jubencio Trujillo
Melvin Middlebrooks Marshall Van Nus

New Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit Graduates
Christopher Brown John Hodsden
Kevin Caldwell Joshua Jones
Nicholas Dean Christopher Moncrief
Tristan Dresselt Austin Phillips
Evie Fetzner Justin Riggs
Bailey Gaddis Adam Sridej
Dustin Gannon Dylan Sunderland
Bobby Gleaton Benjamin Towhey
David Goodman Austin Turnbull
Cameron Greene Brady Whitley
Kyle Healy Richard Zabala